The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has urged communities across the state to desist from burning refuse heaps, warning of the health hazards associated with the practice.
Instead, ASEPA encouraged communities to build strong partnerships with the Agency and promptly communicate whenever waste evacuation is needed, stressing that indiscriminate burning of waste undermines public health and the state’s environmental outlook.
The Agency further disclosed plans to introduce a reward system that will recognize and celebrate the cleanest community in Abia State while also naming the dirtiest, a move aimed at underscoring Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to making Abia the cleanest state in Nigeria.
Speaking at an engagement with President Generals of communities in Umuahia North and South held at the Umuahia North Council Headquarters, ASEPA’s Deputy General Manager for Umuahia Zone, Catechist Ambrose Jonah, appealed for collaboration in sustaining environmental cleanliness.
He noted that Governor Otti’s administration is determined to change the long-standing negative perception about Abia’s poor waste management system, emphasizing the need for community leaders to join hands with ASEPA to achieve this goal.
In response, community leaders including Chuks Ukaegbu (Afarata Ibeku), High Chief Eze Nwoke (Nkwoegwu Autonomous Community), and Tony Onyenweaku (Azueke Ibeku), called on ASEPA to engage intermediaries or agents to help ensure proper waste disposal.
They also advocated for stricter sanctions against those caught littering and urged the Agency to intensify sensitization campaigns across the state.
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