Residents Rejoice As Idemili North Council Evacuates 12 Year Old Refuse Dumpsite In Obosi
By Ogochukwu Oranu
Residents of Owelle Aja in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, have heaved a sigh of relief following the evacuation of a major refuse dumpsite that had defaced the community for nearly 12 years.
The evacuation exercise was carried out by the Idemili North Local Government Council under the leadership of the Mayor, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, with the deployment of an excavator and four tipper trucks to remove the accumulated solid waste.
A visit to the community showed the scale of the exercise, as the waste, which had occupied an entire lane at MC King Lane, was being cleared to restore access and improve the environmental condition of the area.
Speaking during the exercise, Mayor Nkwoka expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse by some residents, noting that the council had identified six major dumpsites in Owelle Aja that required urgent attention.
He explained that the evacuation of the dumpsites had been delayed by the lack of access roads into the community, as well as the low electrification poles and overhead wires which posed a challenge to the movement of heavy duty trucks and equipment.
According to him, the council worked with landlords in the area to create access roads, thereby making it possible for the evacuation exercise to commence.
Nkwoka assured residents that the council would continue the exercise until all the identified refuse dumpsites in the community were cleared. He also disclosed plans to engage landlords and tenants on a sustainable waste disposal system to prevent the re emergence of illegal dumpsites.
The Mayor urged residents to properly bag their refuse and keep it in front of their houses for collection by accredited waste management contractors operating in the area.
He warned that anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately would face sanctions, including being required to hire two tipper trucks to evacuate waste from the area or face possible legal action.
Some residents who spoke during the exercise expressed appreciation to the local government authority for responding to their concerns.
A landlord in the area, Mazi Kelechi, attributed the prolonged accumulation of refuse to disagreements among some landlords, and thanked the council for intervening.
Other residents, including Mr Chijioke Nweke and Mrs Anthonia Isidiuko, expressed excitement over the evacuation, recalling the health risks and environmental challenges posed by the accumulated waste.
They commended the Idemili North Local Government administration for clearing the dumpsite and restoring access to the street, while appealing for sustained monitoring to prevent the return of indiscriminate dumping.
