A bill for a law to prohibit the erection of structures and buildings on drainage channels and pathways in Anambra State has scaled second reading at the Anambra State House of Assembly.

The bill which is sponsored by Chief Romanus Obi, representing Orumba North Constituency and seven others, was read for the second time during yesterday’s plenary.

The bill seeks to prohibit the erection of structures and buildings on drainages and pathways in Anambra State for easy flow of water and to avoid flood that will destroy properties.

Commenting on the bill, the Sponsor, Chief Obi explained that such a law will put a final stop to erection of structures on drainages and paths which cause environmental problems such as erosion.

He further stated that under the bill, any person found erecting structures on drainages or pathways is guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to fine and in addition, pay a penalty of total cost of removal of such structure.

On his part, the member representing Awka South One Constituency, Dr. Nnamdi Okafor who regretted that election of structures on unsafe areas in the state results to flooding whenever there is torrential rainfall described the bill as à welcome development.

The Deputy Speaker, Sir Hafford Oseke and the Minority Leader, Honourable Onyebuchi Offor lent credence to the bill, while Speaker of the House, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu referred the bill to the House Committee on Lands and charged it to do further work on it and report back to the House within two weeks.