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The Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has promised to tackle the pandemic erosion problems in the home of late former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme.
Consequently, the governor has announced an immediate a ban on sand mining in Oko community, in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.
He said he would be signing executive orders to stop the activities in the area, as well as formation of a task force for enforcement, with severe penalties for defaulters.
Soludo made this known during the commissioning of the Alex Ekwueme Civic Centre in Oko at the weekend, a deserving honour for the legacy of the former Nigerian Vice President and renowned politician, Chief Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
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He identified sand mining and uncontrolled flooding as key contributors to erosion in Oko, explaining that its solution required collective action from the community, individuals, and the government.
The governor also revealed plans for a 25-person committee to develop solutions to the challenge.
While recalling a previous town hall meeting he had with stakeholders, where he reiterated the threat faced by the community, Soludo stressed the urgent need to address the scourge which he described as serious threats to Oko community.
He thanked the people of Oko for honoring a man who is not just a father of Oko and Old Aguata Union (OAU) but Anambra, Nigeria and Africa.
He also commended the Ide Memorial Group and other contributors for building the Civic Centre in Dr. Ekwueme’s memory, recalling his role in the “Ekwueme Movement”.
“Dr. Ekwueme as an idea and an institution will never die; Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones concept was Dr. Ekwueme’s idea,” he added.
The governor pledged to construct crucial roads, including the Oko-Ogboji-Aguluezechukwu road with a spur to the Civic Centre and the Oko-Ndiowu road as well as the Pan Brewery road.
