Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA has commenced the evacuation of the mountainous refuse heaped at Orie-Ntigha market and inside Ginger Samuel Amanaha Mini Stadium Amapu Ntigha in Isialangwa North local government area of the State.
Speaking during the exercise, the Deputy General Manager of ASEPA Umuahia zone, Catechist Ambrose Jonah, who frowned at the embarrassing state of that environment caused by the refuse, which according to findings, has been there for long, disclosed that the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Jacob Akoma, the Isimba 1 of Isiala Amapu Ntigha autonomous community, wrote to the Agency some months ago which they presented to Governor Alex Otti, who approved the evacuation.
He said that some of the stores would be pulled down to enable earth moving machines gain unhindered access to evacuate the refuse to the designated dump sites.
He pointed out that the evacuation of the refuse would have numerous health benefits to the community and traders and also prevent serious epidemic within the environment and beyond.
He advised the people to always bag their refuse, warning that the environmental court has been equipped to prosecute offenders including those who dispose refuse indiscriminately.
Appreciating the State Government through ASEPA for the intervention exercise, the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Jacob Akoma, described the exercise as the biggest honour Governor Alex Otti has given to Ntigha, and expressed the desire of the community to enter into agreement with ASEPA on how to do regular evacuation of refuse in the area.
The traditional ruler who was flanked by the Regent of Anyiala autonomous community, Nze Raphael Onwunali disclosed that the mountainous refuse has been existing there for over fifteen years, saying that several administrations had ignored their passionate call to save the community from Environmental disaster associated with it.
While disclosing the community leaders’ resolution not to allow the refuse pile up again, Eze Akoma requests that ASEPA drop their waste buckets around/within the market for easy evacuation.
Furthermore, he appreciated Governor Otti for approving the refuse evacuation and prayed to God to give him more strength to deliver on his mandate.
