Anambra Govt Makes Catchment Pits Compulsory, Orders Sealing of Buildings That Divert Runoff to Roads

By Praise Chinecherem

The Anambra State Government has declared the construction of catchment pits compulsory for all residential, commercial and religious buildings across the state, warning that defaulters will face sanctions.

The directive was one of the major decisions reached at the 9th meeting of the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), according to the Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor.

Mefor said the measure was aimed at curbing erosion and environmental degradation caused by uncontrolled stormwater runoff, adding that the government would begin strict enforcement of relevant environmental laws.

“The Council resolved that construction of catchment pits in all buildings — residential, commercial and religious — across the state is now mandatory as expressly provided for in the environmental law. Appropriate sanctions will apply for non-compliance,” Mefor said.

The commissioner also disclosed that the government had approved the sealing of houses and other structures that channel runoff water directly onto public roads.

According to him, such buildings will remain sealed until the owners construct appropriate catchment pits within their premises to prevent stormwater from flowing onto roads and into public drainage systems.

“With immediate effect, all houses channeling runoff water onto roads shall be sealed until catchment pits are constructed within their premises to ensure that storm and runoff water no longer enter public roads and drainages,” he said.

Mefor further announced that every community in the state would be required to establish Environmental Teams responsible for identifying and reporting erosion sites to the government, as well as coordinating local remedial efforts.

He said government intervention in erosion and environmental restoration would henceforth be tied to compliance with established environmental health standards.

“Communities that neglect environmental restoration will not receive priority intervention. Communities that demonstrate commitment to environmental health will be prioritised by government,” the commissioner said.

The ANSEC meeting also reviewed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent trip to Canada and Silicon Valley in the United States, with the Council describing the visit as strategic to the administration’s ambition of positioning Anambra as a leading innovation and technology hub in Nigeria and Africa.

Mefor said the Council approved the commissioning of the permanent site of the Solution Innovation District (SID) in March 2027, coinciding with the first anniversary of Soludo’s second term in office.

“SID is designed to drive tech talent development, startups, and digital enterprise in the state,” he said.

He added that the development formed part of the administration’s broader Solution 2.0 agenda, which focuses on building a smart megacity that is livable, prosperous and sustainable.

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