KINGSLEY EBERE
The Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Anambra State Branch, has called on landlords, tenants, and residents across Anambra State and Nigeria to urgently desilt gutters and drainage systems as torrential rains intensify nationwide.
In a statement issued to journalists in Awka on Thursday, the organization expressed concern over the repeated loss of lives and property to flooding. It said many communities have become vulnerable because drainages and natural water channels are blocked by refuse, plastics, and silt.
According to the CLO, flooding remains one of the most preventable disasters during the rainy season. The group stressed that proactive action at the household, street, and community levels will save lives and reduce damage to homes, schools, and businesses.
“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 statement read.
The organization urged residents to immediately clear all drainages around their premises. It advised that gutters should be free of sand, waste, and debris to allow free flow of rainwater. It also called on market associations and estate unions to organize weekly clean-up exercises.
The CLO appealed to local government authorities to intensify public enlightenment on proper waste disposal. It said environmental sanitation officers must monitor flood-prone areas and ensure that waterways are not converted to dumpsites.
The group warned that blocked drainages do not only cause flooding but also create serious public health risks. Stagnant water breeds mosquitoes and other disease vectors, increasing cases of malaria, cholera, and typhoid during the rains.
It advised residents to avoid walking or driving through flooded roads. The CLO noted that many flood-related fatalities occur when people attempt to cross fast-moving water or submerged bridges.
The organization further urged the Anambra State Government to fast-track desilting of major channels and to enforce building regulations that protect waterways from encroachment.
The Civil Liberties Organization reaffirmed its commitment to protecting citizens’ right to life and a safe environment. It said it will continue to monitor government response, community preparedness, and disaster management efforts throughout the 2026 rainy season.
The press release was endorsed by Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, AMBP, Chairman, Civil Liberties Organization, Anambra State Branch.
