From Filth to Fresh Air: How Governor Alex Otti Revived Waste Management in Abia State

When Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, assumed office as the Executive Governor of Abia State on May 29, 2023, he inherited a state overwhelmed by filth and environmental decay. Refuse heaps and blocked drainages had turned Aba and Umuahia—the state’s major cities—into unsanitary zones prone to airborne diseases and potential epidemics.

Determined to restore cleanliness and public health, Governor Otti swiftly declared a state of emergency on waste management and environmental sanitation. He deployed heavy-duty equipment, trucks, and a large workforce to clear the accumulated waste. In the first few months alone, more than 500 tons of debris were evacuated daily from streets and roads, while drainages were desilted and cleaned to prevent perennial flooding. Within a short time, residents began to experience a renewed sense of freshness and pride in their environment.

The transformation extended beyond Aba and Umuahia to all 17 Local Government Areas of the state. For the first time, the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) provided waste collection bins and trucks to rural communities, ensuring regular and efficient waste disposal. Under Governor Otti’s leadership, ASEPA evolved into a proactive, service-oriented agency, introducing innovative initiatives such as door-to-door waste collection using tricycles, distribution of disposal bags, public sensitization campaigns, and the prosecution of sanitation offenders.

Abians are also becoming active participants in maintaining cleanliness, with growing community involvement and environmental vigilance. The government is set to launch the “Waste-to-Wealth” initiative, aimed at converting waste into valuable materials for economic benefit.

While the administration was busy cleaning up the state, opposition figures allegedly focused on political distractions, spreading misinformation about Governor Otti’s relationship with the Federal Government and President Bola Tinubu. Despite such attempts, the governor’s focus on governance and service delivery continues to win public approval.

Questions for Abians:

1. Do you believe Governor Otti has performed well in waste management and environmental sanitation, considering the deplorable condition he met in May 2023?


2. If a governorship election were held today in Abia State, who would you vote for?