Environment
Former Lawmaker Seeks By-Law On Refuse Dumping
A former leader of Ahoada West Local Government Legislative Assembly, Hon. Ibezim Ogbuleka has called on the Ahoada East legislative Council to enact a by-law to check the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Ahoada main town and its envrionrs.
Hon. Ogbuleka who stated this in his office at Ahoada recently said, even with the establishment of the environmental health department at the local government health centre, the issue of environmental management had been a challenge.
He said the existence of the environmental health department was no guarantee to proper handling of waste at Ahoada.
He expressed the view that most local government areas in the state were not applying the state government’s policies on environment thereby making mockery of governor Amaechi’s developmental strides in the LGAs.
Hon. Ogbuleka who is also the publisher of the Pubic Express, said the environmental health department should designate dumping zones and also enforce and make landlords to pay. He also called for proper maintenance of sanitary lanes by house owners to avoid the flow of waste into the streets.
Also speaking, a fashion designer, Mr. Chukwudi Worlu said that Ahoada had no organised waste disposal system. He said various local governments have come and gone without showing concern for proper waste management.
He opined that waste management was lucrative and wondered why the local government had not found it fit to properly identify the benefits.
He advised that the LGA should have an approved dumpsite, provide waste baskets within the streets of Ahoada and collect money from residents who use such baskets.
“It will go a long way in sanitizing the area and the health of the people will be guaranteed”, he said.
Investigations by our correspondent showed that virtually every street had refuse dumped indiscriminately, some of which include, Ubie Street, Odiemerenyi road, Omoku road, Ekpena road, and across the bridge linking Government Girls Secondary School, (GGSS) and on every undeveloped land.
Efforts to speak with the Deputy Director, Environmental Health Department, Mr. I. Uchibeke proved abortive as he was said to have travelled to Port Harcourt on official duty.
However, chairman, environment Committee, at the legislative assembly, Hon. MacDonald Akujuru could not be reached for comments but a close source which asked not to be named said, “environmental management was capital intensive”, adding that no money has been made available for such operations and expressed the hope that the issue would be tackled in the future.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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