Anambra State Physical Planning Board has again warned developers to desist from blocking flood channels.
The Executive Chairman of the Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe, gave the warning during an enforcement exercise at Abubor-Nnewichi Nnewi.
He observed that a developer blocked and erected structures on a drainage channel, causing flooding in the area during rainy season, and advised potential developers to obtain government approval before embarking on any project.
Barrister Maduekwe noted that perennial flooding and other environmental challenges such as climate change, global warming, pollution, blocked drainage channels, canals and the rest, have been a major headache to Anambra state government.
He Therefore informed that , Anambra state Physical Planning Board, the state government agency with the legal mandate to control developments across the state, is leading series of actions put in place by the Anambra state government to explore effective urban planning, developmental control, drainage designs, dredging, construction of drainage channels and environmental education to mitigate all climate change -induced problems confronting the state.
He wondered how despite all efforts made to tackle these challenges, a developer would still go and block a flood channel, sand-fill the drainage channel, erect a fence and build through the path.
The Physical Planning Board Chairman also expressed dismay that several warnings by government to the developer to stop further development since 2019 were ignored.
This led the officials of the board to visit the location, cleared the road path and opened up the drainage channel.
According to Barrister Maduekwe, government would no longer tolerate developers who perpetrate illegality with impunity, stressing that the developer is fully aware of the implications of his actions.
He called on potential developers to seek out ways to help government serve them better and to always do the right things, as anyone who violates the law would pay for it.
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