Refuse Heaps Tide Over Enugu

Inhabitants of Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State and  environs have cried out over the mountain of  refuse which have taken  over major roads and streets of the coal city.

  Our correspondent who went round the town reports that heaps of refuse which have not been cleared for over two weeks by workers of Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA) is not only likely to cause an out –break of  epidemic, but are now  serious traffic hold-up in the affected roads  and streets. 

Those who live close to the  locations where  refuse dumpsters of   ESWAMA which have already been covered completely by refuse mounted are no longer finding things very easy as offensive odour emanating  from the heaps of rubbish has continued to keep them very uncomfortable to the extent that  they can no longer breathe fresh air.

  Our investigation also  showed that those who are living in the out-skirts of  Enugu capital city such as Emene where the Akanu Ibiam Airport and  the Anambra Motor Manufacturing Company (ANAMMCO)  are sited, Abakpa- Nike, Iva – Valley, among others  are even   suffering  worse fate as refuse in those areas had not been cleared for more than one month now.

   A number of  concerned residents who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity expressed fears that if nothing tangible is done by the Enugu State government  to address the worrisome development,  an out –break of epidemic may not be ruled out.

They, therefore, appealed to the state governor, Sullivan Chime to do everything within his ability to order ESWAMA workers to urgently clear the heaps of refuse which have already caused a number of avoidable accidents not only in  the Enugu capital city, but also in the out-skirts,  as nobody knows who would be victims  of  epidemic should it occur.

  Frantic efforts made by our correspondent to fish out the newly appointed General Manager (GM)  of  ESWAMA to comment on what led to this worrisome development which is already giving all residents of Enugu and environs a lot of concern,  did not yield fruitful dividend as their offices were under lock and key when this reporter called at their head office at the state secretariat.

  In the same vein , attempts made to reach any of the government officials to talk on the issue also proved abortive  as those sought for could  not be reached in their offices or got on telephone possibly as a result of the Christmas and New Year holidays and  celebrations.

  It would be recalled that  about a month ago, the Enugu State government sacked the  General Manager of ESWAMA, Mr. Greg Anyaegbudike , and recently appointed a new GM  to take over from where the former one stopped.