Anambra Government Seals Lodges, Churches, Market Over Sanitation Violations
The Anambra State Government has intensified its environmental sanitation enforcement by sealing several student lodges, churches, business premises and a market in Awka South Local Government Area for violating the state’s environmental sanitation laws.
Among the affected facilities are Emmanuel Lodge, Mandona Lodge, Eto Lodge, First Choice Lodge, Gift Lodge, Love Ambassadors Ministry, Dominion City, Lucky Up Shops, Don Greg UNIZIK Park and Eke Nibo Market.
In a major safety intervention, officials also ordered a comprehensive structural integrity test on a building at Emmanuel Lodge in Ifite after discovering visible cracks capable of endangering residents.
The inspection team said certified material testing agencies would assess the building to determine its structural stability before any further action is taken.
The enforcement exercise forms part of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s Operation Keep Anambra Clean initiative aimed at promoting a cleaner environment, safeguarding public health and protecting lives across the state.
Government officials urged residents, particularly students, to promptly report buildings showing signs of structural defects, especially visible cracks. They noted that a monitoring committee comprising representatives of the local government, relevant enforcement agencies and student affairs authorities was inaugurated about three months ago to receive reports of distressed buildings and environmental hazards.
The Commander of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra in Awka South Local Government Area, Prince Ikechukwu Ndigwe, said inspectors uncovered serious environmental offences at Emmanuel Lodge.
According to him, the facility was allegedly discharging wastewater, including sewage from toilets, into public drainage channels, creating significant health risks for nearby residents. He added that refuse littered the premises while blocked drainage systems further worsened the unsanitary conditions.
Prince Ndigwe disclosed that the caretaker of the property would face prosecution for allegedly channeling wastewater into public drains, describing the act as a criminal offence under the state’s environmental laws.
He further revealed that the lodge was already under a valid court order authorising its closure and warned that anyone who obstructs or assaults enforcement officers carrying out lawful duties would be arrested and prosecuted.
He added that the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, including the Dean of Student Affairs and the Student Union leadership, had been notified and were expected to support the ongoing enforcement exercise.
Also speaking, the ACTD enforcement leader, Mr. Nwachukwu Obiorah, said the cracks observed on the Emmanuel Lodge building posed serious safety concerns, making an immediate structural integrity assessment necessary.
He appealed to residents to report any building showing signs of structural distress to the appropriate authorities to prevent possible building collapse and protect lives.
The Anambra State Government reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing environmental sanitation laws and sustaining efforts to provide a clean, healthy and safe environment for all residents.
