Ikenna Oluchukwu Aniagboso, the chairman of the transition committee for Anambra State's Nnewi-South Local Government Area, declared that his administration is committed to making a lasting impression on the populace despite enormous obstacles, particularly when it comes to the erosion threat in the region.
Aniagboso maintained that there are strategic plans in place to transform erosion sites in the council area into fish ponds for economic growth and advancement. He claimed that the current administration in Anambra State is driven by inventions, innovations, and disruptive ideas aimed at instituting a new order of human and infrastructural development.
According to him, the strategy adheres to Governor Charles Soludo's slogan for disruptive change.
The TC chairman added that one of the goals of the plan to turn erosion sites into artificial lakes for extensive fish production is for the local government of Nnewi-South to become known as the top producer of fish for both domestic and international use.
Even though it is obvious that the council area lacks any rivers, he said he was currently in discussions with the Anambra State Aquaculture Business Development Agency about how Nnewi-South may become the state's top fish producer. According to Aniagboso, the objective was to turn their difficulties into chances for bigger accomplishments, particularly in the areas of agriculture and rural development.
The Nnewi-South council chairman, who granted Saturday Independent Correspondent an exclusive interview in his office, went on to say that the council would build embankments and fill some erosion sites in order to create lakes and large ponds for the purpose of raising hybrid fingerlings for sale, despite the fact that erosion control is a capital-intensive endeavour.
Aniagboso also suggested turning erosion spots into man-made lakes to assist in correctly channelling drainages in the form of water settlements for aquatic life. He claimed that improper drainage system termination is a key contributor to localised erosion. As the local government territory lacked natural water settlements, he added, there is barely a point of termination in the case of Nnewi-South.
He stated, “Building embarkments to ensure that gullies neither cave in nor expand further and channeling drainages therein provides a point of termination for drainages built within the local government area. Such water settlements can then be converted to lakes or ponds where aquactic life can be grown.”
Aniagboso continued by saying that his team is still researching and seeking the appropriate advice regarding the potential to turn gullies into artificial lakes, turning a disadvantage into a chance to create income.
The head of the council asserted that the cultivation of a thriving and sustainable agro-economy in Anambra state is part of the Soludo-inspired agricultural revolution, which is being carried out through the distribution of cocoa and palm seedlings. Improved cocoa nut and palm seedlings have been dispersed throughout the region for planting, actualizing greenery for food production, and reducing erosion damage.
He claimed that Anambra State's former status as the centre of palm production is being restored by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, who is working feverishly to do so. For the objective of establishing a vibrant agricultural economy based on palm output, the vision is to guarantee that farmers receive up to one million seedlings capable of producing palms.
Aniagboso stated that the council area wants to start tree planting for the sake of afforestation, beautification, and most significantly, erosion control. She also stated that all the wards in Nnewi-South have received the enhanced palm seedlings. He claimed that it is consistent with the governor's vision of a thriving, green, and clean Anambra state.