In a move to deepen its sanitation drive, the Abia State Government has mandated the installation of waste bins in all commercial vehicles, with enforcement set to commence on April 1, 2026.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said the directive was part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) to support, promote and enhance the cleanliness of the state, noting that the initiative would require all commercial vehicles to provide waste bins for passenger use.
The Commissioner added that the policy would be backed by strict enforcement, stressing that the State Government remains committed to sustaining the sanitation gains recorded across the state.
He highlighted the achievements of ASEPA, pointing out that the Agency has continued to receive commendations within and outside Nigeria for transforming the environmental outlook of the State, particularly Aba, the commercial nerve centre.
Prince Kanu noted that Aba, once widely described as one of the dirtiest cities in the country, has been repositioned into one of the cleanest urban centres, in line with Governor Otti’s declaration of a state of emergency on waste management at the inception of his administration.
The Commissioner cited the recent visit of the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Pastor Paul Enenche, who publicly expressed admiration for the improved cleanliness across the state.
“He (Pastor Enenche) used the opportunity of that programme to express his amazement at the level of cleanliness he noticed across the state, which, of course, was not the case about three years earlier”, Prince Kanu said.
The Commissioner further revealed that ASEPA had intensified its regulatory activities, including monitoring and enforcing environmental standards among businesses and industries.
He said that several premises had been sealed for violating sanitation regulations, adding that “the closures were sustained until the offending companies remedied those infractions”.
Prince Kanu also disclosed that the Ministry of Environment and Urban Renewal has undertaken significant gully erosion control and flood management projects across the state.
He listed intervention areas to include Amiyi and Amaogudu in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, as well as Elugwu Nkata in Umuahia North and Iyama, Iberenta in Ikwuano, where reclamation works have been completed.
“There are also other erosion control works being handled by the Ministry through direct labour works that they are nearing completion.
“These efforts speak to the State Government’s agenda to provide solutions to instances of environmental degradation through erosions across the state”, he said.
On social development, the commissioner announced that the State would mark the 2026 International Women’s Day on March 31 in Umuahia, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti.
He said the event, themed “Give to Gain,” would encourage philanthropic activities, particularly among women, to support the less privileged in society.
Reacting to the resurgence of refuse dumps in parts of the state, the General Manager of ASEPA, Mazi Ogbonnia Okereke announced that the agency would commence full enforcement of its “Operation Show Your Waste Bin” initiative from April 1, targeting all commercial vehicles.
The ASEPA GM stressed that the Agency’s monitoring network is fully operational across the state, warning that there would be no safe haven for violators.
He also cautioned residents against both unauthorised and indiscriminate dumping of refuse and urged strict compliance with established environmental sanitation standards.
