ASABA – Chief Olori Magege, the Chairman, Delta State Waste Management Board, has identified inadequate dump site as being responsible for the filthy environment across the state.
Magege made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday while reacting to the filthy state of the capital, especially during the rainy season.
He said that the government was already working toward addressing the challenge as the waste incinerator located at Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area was almost completed.
He warned residents of the state against blocking drains with waste, to avoid flooding.
“It is unfortunate that in spite of government’s efforts at clearing drains in the state, residents still find it very difficult to dispose of their waste properly.
“Government cannot tackle the problem of waste management alone; all hands must be on deck in ensuring that the drains are kept clean.’’
Magege attributed the delay in waste collection to the rainy season, adding that measures were being put in place to address the situation.
Meanwhile, some residents of Asaba have complained that the waste management operators were not collecting their waste regularly since the rainy season started.
A restaurant operator, Mrs Oluchi Ofunye, said that the irregular evacuation of waste by the waste management operators was causing serious pollution around her store.
“The most painful aspect of it is that at the end of the month they will come and ask for their pay. Because of the regular rainfall, most of the waste are washed back into the drains.’’
An official of the Ministry of Environment who preferred anonymity, told NAN that the state had one dump site servicing the whole of Asaba,adding that as soon the incinerator commenced operation, the dump site would be closed. (NAN)
