Speaking on Friday at a meeting of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers' Council, Soludo ordered the immediate desilting of drainage systems statewide and directed that indiscriminate sand mining be halted. Describing environmental degradation as Anambra's greatest existential challenge, the governor said the state, despite having Nigeria's second-smallest landmass, is steadily losing land to erosion and flooding. "The environment, flooding, and gully erosion are Anambra's number one existential threat. While Lagos is expanding into the ocean, Anambra is shrinking. Whole communities are being swallowed," he said. Soludo blamed several human activities for worsening the crisis, including the blockage of drainage channels, directing residential runoff onto roads, dumping refuse into waterways, and uncontrolled sand mining. According to him, removing sand creates conditions that accelerate erosion, making communities more vulnerable to environmental disasters. He stressed that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility and called for urgent action to clear blocked drainage systems. The governor also addressed the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgment on autonomous communities in Anambra State, saying his administration would introduce a new community administration law to formally recognise communities within the state's governance structure. He explained that while town unions currently serve as community administrators, they are voluntary associations, resulting in governance challenges in some areas where multiple town unions exist. Under the proposed reforms, communities would become the fourth tier of government within the state's administrative framework. Reflecting on his administration's progress, Soludo said conditions had improved significantly since he assumed office during what he described as a period of emergency. He reaffirmed his government's commitment to delivering development projects and urged traditional rulers to mobilise their communities to protect the environment and comply with environmental regulations. Among those present at the meeting were the Governor's Chief of Staff, Ben Nwankwo, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Vin Ezeaka, and Chairman of the Traditional Rulers' Council, Igwe Chidubem Iweka.