Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Residents of Owerri , the capital of Imo
State , have appealed to Governor Hope
Uzodimma and other relevant authorities
in the state to expedite action on
evacuating the heaps of refuse on the
MCC /Uratta Road and other residential
areas in the metropolis .
They said the repulsive odour oozing from
the refuse posed health hazards to them.
A resident , Mr Hycinth Uwadioke, told our
correspondent on Wednesday that the
refuse heaps had been there for weeks.
Uwadioke, a bricklayer , said the refuse on
the MCC / Uratta Road posed health hazard
to his family, adding that his three
children had been admitted to hospital for
three times.
He stated that the refuse heap on the road
had made the metropolis filthy , disturbed
the free flow of traffic and affected
business activities in the area .
Uwadioke said , “ Many residential
buildings are around the refuse dump on
the road . Many of our children have fallen
sick of infection with abdominal disorder,
malaria and typhoid , among others .
Personally, I have spent my hard – earned
money in hospitals .
“ My children cannot sleep without the
generator being put on to power the fan to
drive away the repulsive odour and
mosquitoes . We are sending a Save – Our-
Soul message to the governor to help us.”
Another resident , who simply identified
himself as Chief , said leaving the refuse
on the road and near residences was
wickedness and negligence on the part of
the state government .
He stated that prior to now, the area was
never a refuse dump, and blamed the
failure to evacuate the waste on the Imo
State Waste Management Agency .
Another resident of Ebikoro , Mrs Nkechi
Osuji, implored the governor and the
waste management agency to clear the
refuse so as to save the residents of
untimely death.
When contacted on the telephone , an aide
of the Chairman of the ISWMA, who spoke
on condition of anonymity , urged the
residents to help the government by
dumping their refuse at designated areas.
She said the volume of waste at different
spots on the road was shocking as the
agency had evacuated the garbage last
week .
“ The residents started dumping refuse
there on their own volition. People should
join hands with the governor and the
ISWMA to sanitise the environment. We
shall ensure that the dirt is evacuated
within the shortest possible time , but
people should help themselves , while the
ISWMA does the needful ,” she stated.
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