The Abia State House of Assembly has berated the General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Mr. Okechukwu Apugo, over the heaps of refuse that adorned major streets in the state.
This came in a matter of urgent public importance over the increasing heaps of refuse in Umuahia metropolis, raised by the Member representing Umuahia North state Constituency, Hon. Kelechi Onuzurike, during its plenary session.
Speaking on the floor of the house, Onuzuruike, who is also, the House Committee Chairman on Environment, said, “I rise this matter of urgent public importance to bring to your notice the lack of duty by the General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency(ASEPA) and his Deputy in charge of Aba Zone.
“I have had cause to interface with the GM and his Deputy in Charge of Aba. If you take a look around Umuahia and Aba, you will know we are about being hit by an epidemic.
“Mr. Speaker, on the day of your inauguration you did say this House will not tolerate a situation where Resolutions passed by this House are not respected. Mr. Speaker, in the 6th House, we did pass a Motion over this same issue but the issues appeared to have been abandoned, he declared”.
At the point, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, called for contributions to the motion raised by the lawmaker representing Umuahia North State Constituency.
Hon. Jerry Uzosike, the member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, contributing, said, “The issue of refuse is a problem; it is like a weak point in the management of Abia State. I am aware that this House had passed a Bill which permits ASEPA to generate funds to augment what they get as subventions from the Government.
“Most times, we see them come to people, to collect ASEPA fees, but the management appears to be the problem”.
Also contributing, the Member representing Ikwuano State Constituency, Hon Stanley Nwabusi, opined, “Refuse Management and its health effects cannot be overemphasized. This house must exercise its oversight functions on this matter”.
In his Submission, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, informed the House of the governor’s assurance that the refuse dumps in Umuahia will be cleared.
“Greatly concerned over the state of refuse in the State, the Governor informed us that he is expecting some trucks to come in for the purposes of evacuating these refuse dumps.”
