Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), said it had commenced door-to-door collection of waste in some parts of Aba, Umuahia, and street-to-street collections in some parts of Abia North.
ASEPA General Manager, Mr Ogbonnia Okereke, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Umuahia, also announced plans to stop the use of tyres to roast animals at abattoirs.
Okereke, who said the state was at the verge of converting animal dungs to biogas for roasting of animals at abattoirs, expressed concern over the health risks associated with roasting animals with tyres.
He said discussion was at advanced stage with a firm for the conversion of animal dungs to biogas at Lopka cattle market.
On the door to door collection of wastes, the ASEPA boss expressed delight over the public commendation that greeted the initiative.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said that both the State Government, and residents alike, were impressed with the activities of ASEPA.
He said: “This novel idea has elicited joy among the residents of the affected towns and cities as well as commendations from within and outside the state.
“Of course, the state of cleanliness of the state has become subject of discussions within and outside the state, with many commending the Alex Otti-led administration.”
He commended ASEPA for upgrading the abattoirs at Lokpanta cattle market, and Uzuakoli.
“The abattoirs in Lokpanta and Uzuakoli have been reopened after they were shut down due to their very poor hygienic conditions. Both abattoirs have undergone renovations and retrofitting, and are ready and fit for public use once more.
“As ASEPA moves from waste conversion and recycling into a circular economy of waste as opposed to a linear economy, they have signed an MoU with a firm that possesses both international and extensive local experience in this area.”
He, therefore, urged residents to reciprocate the efforts of ASEPA by faithfully paying their sanitation levies.
“ASEPA is using this medium to appeal to Abians to step up their levels of payment of ASEPA sanitation fees to sustain its laudable achievements at waste disposal in the state,” Prince Kanu stated.
The Information Commissioner commended Abia Warriors football club for qualifying for continental competition.
“Abia Warriors Football Club have broken the jinx and qualified to play continental football for the first time. With one more match to go in the current Nigerian Professional Football League, Abia Warriors are on the cusp of playing in the CAF Confederation Cup in the next football season.”
Speaking further, Kanu said that the former Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Comrade Sunday Onwuma, who died recently, would be buried on Thursday 15th of May 2025.
According to him, the State Government will hold a night of tributes for the late Commissioner on Tuesday May 13, at the JAAC Building, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.
