2nd December, 2016
Some residents in Nsukka town on Friday decried the inability of Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA) to evacuate heaps of refuse dumped at strategic locations of the town.
They disclosed in separate interviews that if the refuse were not urgently evacuated, it might constitute a health hazard to residents.
Mrs Joy Eze, a health worker, said the refuse and the attendant odour and flies feeding on it would cause health problems to residents.
”It is not proper to allow refuse dumps to decay, it constitute health problems.
“ESWAMA should not be allowing refuse dumps to stay long before evacuating. It is improper and posed a threat to good health,” she said.
Mr Theo Ugwu, a secondary school teacher, said refuse dumped in various parts of the town defaced the beauty of Nsukka town and sends wrong signal to first time visitors.
“A first time visitor seeing refuse dumps at strategic locations of the town might conclude that residents of the town are dirty people.
“ESWAMA should not allow refuse to overflow and decay before evacuating it.
“The agency is only fast and interested in collecting sanitation fee from residents but will not live up to its responsibilities,” he said.
Mr Kenneth Onu, a trader said ESWAMA should know that health is wealth, urging that they should ensure that refuse dumps were evacuated at appropriate time.
“It is an eyesore that refuse dumps have taken over major roads and streets in the town particularly in Aku road, Enugu road and Onuiyi road.
“You will see smelling and overflowing heaps of refuse dumps and residents living close to these refuse dumps are exposed to health risk.’’
A senior staff in ESWAMA office in Nsukka LG, who pleaded anonymity, attributed the agency’s inability to evacuate the refuse to breakdown of its only truck.
“As soon as the truck is repaired, we will clear all refuse dumps in the town within 48 hours,” he said.