The Anambra State Government has issued a directive requiring residents and property owners to repaint their dilapidated buildings, particularly those with washed-out paint that are defacing the environment across key cities in the state.
State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Felix Odimegwu, announced the initiative on Thursday in a press statement, targeting buildings in Onitsha, Awka, Nkpor, Nnewi, and Ekwuluobia areas. The repainting exercise is set to commence immediately as part of efforts to achieve a clean, beautiful, and eco-friendly environment.
“Notice is hereby given to all residents and occupants of buildings which are in public view areas of the state with particular emphasis on Onitsha, Awka, Nkpor, Nnewi and Ekwuluobia respectively, that general household inspection on dilapidated and unpainted structures defacing the environment shall commence with immediate effect,” Odimegwu stated.
The commissioner explained that the exercise aims to strengthen existing building structures, improve the aesthetic ambiance, and enhance the green space of the state in accordance with the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law 2024, Part 4 section 79 (1-7).
Government regulators will begin field operations to enforce compliance starting from July 1, 2025, focusing on buildings that have not been repainted in the last 10 years or those whose current paint is considered to be defacing the environment.
“This exercise is aimed at strengthening the existing building structures, improving the aesthetic ambience, and the green space of the state as enshrined in the Anambra State Environmental Management, Protection and Administration Law 2024, Part 4 sec 79 (1-7),” the statement read.
The commissioner emphasized that residents are required to fully maintain and repaint their residential and commercial premises, particularly those in public view areas, locally referred to as “anyaora” areas.
Odimegwu noted that the Anambra State Environmental Management Protection and Administration Law 2024 provides the legal framework for the beautification and aesthetic face-lifting of the state, giving the government authority to enforce such environmental improvements.
“Regulators will be embarking on field operations starting from July 1, 2025, for this particular purpose. Therefore, concerned individuals and corporate organisations within the purview as stated above are required to repaint their houses/buildings, especially those that have not been repainted in the last 10 years or buildings whose current paint is defacing the environment,” the commissioner added.
The government appealed for cooperation from residents and property owners, stressing that collective effort is necessary to achieve the desired environmental transformation.
“A clean, beautiful and eco-friendly Anambra is possible if we join hands together to improve her aesthetic ambience,” the statement concluded.
