Abakaliki Residents Cry Out Over Pollution

Residents of Abakaliki, have cried out over the pollution of  the atmosphere rising from fumes from burnt garbage in different dumpsites in the city.

The residents say the fumes cause them discomfort, especially at night and are apprehensive of the ‘Bealth hazards it poses to them.

Mr Cyril Ibe a resident of Nsugbe Street where a dumpsite is situated, said that the fumes from the burnt garbage usually choked them while sleeping, and that they sometimes wake-up in the night to put out the fires.

“The situation is serious as residents of the area are planning to set-up a vigilance group to monitor activities at the dumpsite, with the aim of apprehending those who set them on fire.

Mrs Eunice Okah, a resident of Ogbaga Road where another site is situated, noted that visibility was usually impaired, especially at night, due to the smoke, making driving through the area dangerous.

“Two cars driving through the area last week at night collided, though no fatality was recorded, the relevant authorities do not want to tackle the problem,” she said.

Mr Chukwuemeka Oke, the General Manager of Ebonyi Environmental Protection Agency (EBSEPA), refuted the insinuation that officials of the agency ignited the refuse dumps as a way of clearing them.

“No employee of the agency can do such a thing; it is unfortunate that residents of the city attribute any negative occurrence to the agency,” he said.

Okeh noted that the direct and indirect activities of lunatics and residents of the city respectively, caused the problem.

“Most of lunatics scavenge for food at the dumpsite and in the process of cooking, they ignite the flames.

“Most residents who cook with wood also contribute to the problem as they do not normally douse the fire from the wood before disposal and in the process, the embers ignite the flames at the sites,” he said.

– He noted that the Agency was carrying out intensive enlightenment campaigns to educate the people of the dangers of igniting the dumps.

According to him, the agency is also collaborating with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, on ways of checking the lunatics.

Okeh, remarked that Agency has set March. 1 , 2010 deadline for residents to dispose their refuse in bags, as it was determined to eradicate open dumping of refuse in the city before the middle of the year.