CLO Raises Alarm Over Flood Deaths, Urges Immediate Desilting of Drainages Across Anambra

The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has called on landlords, tenants and residents across Anambra State and the country to urgently clear gutters, drainage systems and waterways to prevent avoidable deaths and destruction caused by flooding during the rainy season.

The organization made the appeal in a press release issued in Awka on Friday, expressing concern over the increasing number of flood-related casualties resulting from blocked drainages and poor environmental maintenance.

According to the statement, many recent flood disasters could have been prevented if property owners and residents had taken proactive measures to desilt gutters and drainage channels before the onset of heavy rains.

“It is of prime importance to note that many of the lives lost to flooding in recent days could have been averted if every landlord and property owner took responsibility to desilt their gutters before the rains set in,” the organization stated.

The release, themed “Let Us Protect Human Life,” was jointly signed by the Chairman of CLO Anambra State Branch, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme AMBP-UN, and the Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah.

The rights organization stressed that protecting lives and property during the rainy season requires collective action from both government authorities and citizens.

As part of its recommendations, the CLO urged all residents to immediately clear blocked gutters, drainage channels and waterways around their homes and business premises. It also warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage systems, describing the practice as a major contributor to flooding.

The organization further called on the Anambra State Ministry of Environment to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on environmental sanitation, proper waste disposal and flood prevention measures. It also urged relevant government agencies to strengthen enforcement efforts and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

In addition, the CLO advocated stricter action against illegal structures built on natural waterways and flood channels, urging authorities to demolish such structures to restore the free flow of water and reduce flood risks.

The organization also commended Governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo and the State Executive Council for proposing legislation aimed at regulating fees charged by mission-owned and private primary and secondary schools in the state.

According to the CLO, the proposed law would help address what it described as exploitative and excessive fee increases imposed by some schools, despite government support through the payment of salaries, allowances and gratuities of staff.

The group recalled that it had repeatedly drawn the attention of the state government to complaints from parents over rising school fees and expressed optimism that the proposed legislation would bring relief to many families.

“Anambra people will remain eternally grateful to Governor Soludo if this life-saving and education-saving law is implemented without delay,” the statement added.

The CLO concluded by urging citizens to regard environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility rather than solely a government obligation, noting that a clean and well-maintained environment remains one of the most effective safeguards against flood disasters.