…says all public and private projects must obtain mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance.
Awka, Nigeria — The iNews Times, The Anambra State Government will commence full enforcement of the Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law, 2024, with effect from Monday, 24th November 2025.
The Government through the Ministry of Environment is ready to apply the provisions of this law fully, firmly, and without exception, sequel to extensive sensitization, public education, and stakeholder consultations across the state over the past year.
The Commissioner for Environment, Engr Felix Odumegwu stated this in Awka while briefing newsmen on the preparedness of his ministry and agencies under it to execute the environmenforcement.
He noted that the goal is to safeguard public health, strengthen climate resilience, prevent flooding and erosion, and ensure orderly, sustainable environmental management across all communities in Anambra State.
Engr Odumegwu noted that all public and private projects—whether residential, commercial, institutional, industrial, or infrastructural—must obtain mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance before commencement of project as non-compliance attracts heavy fines, prosecution, or project shutdown.
“Effective immediately, no sand truck, tipper or haulage vehicle is permitted to carry sand beyond its approved capacity. All sand trucks must cover their loads properly.
“Removal of shanties, illegal kiosks, makeshift structures, abandoned vehicles, roadside shops and attachments erected on road, setbacks and drainage paths must be removed immediately.
“On Aesthetics and Urban Beautification Enforcement, the Ministry has the legal mandate to enforce the beautification and maintenance of visible building facades, especially in urban centres such as Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, and Ekwulobia.
“Property owners may be issued an Aesthetics Mandate Notice requiring Repainting, Renovation, Grassing or re-landscaping, Cladding or façade improvement. Owners must comply within 90 days, after which the Ministry will carry out the works and recover all costs.
“On Sand Mining and Earth-Disturbing Activities, the state will no longer tolerate any form of irresponsible excavation, soil removal, or sand mining—especially near erosion-prone areas, gully sites, wetlands, watersheds, or natural drainage channels.
“The Ministry will strictly implement the Zero Surface Runoff Rule mandating all buildings and properties to ensure that no storm water flows into public roads, neighbouring properties, or open lands. Thus, every tenement is required to provide catchment pits, water collection sumps, flood drains or wetlands rainwater harvesting systems, failure of which leads to sealing of properties and applicable penalties.
“Estates, housing developers, and contractors must design and construct proper drainage channels that do not terminate abruptly or discharge water into built-up areas. Poor drainage design that results in flooding will attract enforcement action, and the developer will bear full remediation costs,” he said.
Engr Odumegwu further announced that those to enforce this law are Ministry of Environment Enforcement Unit, Environmental Health Officers, Forest Guards, Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) and OCHA Brigade.
The Environment Commissioner maintained that the team is empowered by law to Seal premises, Issue enforcement notices, Arrest offenders, Confiscate harmful materials, Suspend or revoke operating permits without exemptions, regardless of status, office, or political affiliation.
Engr Odumegwu was flanked by the Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Mr Celestine Anere, his ASWAMA counterpart, Chief Mike Ozoemena and Prof Philip Eze, Managing Director Anambra State Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency.
