The deputy general manager of the Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency, Umuahia zone, Catchist Ambrose Jonah, said the zone encountered gutters that had not been desilted for about 35 years in the state capital.
Jonah stated this yesterday while speaking to journalists on some of the challenges and successes the zone had recorded since his assumption of office in February in the capital.
“It was a very serious project, but with the support and encouragement of the governor, Alex Otti, we have continued with the exercise even on a daily basis to avoid flooding,” he noted.
He said another challenge was the condition of the dump site, “Which had been completely overtaken by refuse, but with our bulldozers working there up to 10 hours a day, we’re gradually making headway.”
Jonah, explained that when he came on board, the zone had a few rickety trucks, which he said he quickly refurbished and put to use.
He also said that with the support of the governor, who had, on assumption of office last year, declared a state of emergency on sanitation in the state, acquired a compactor, roll-off, and caterpillar within three months.
“This, fortunately, happened to be the first caterpillar ever acquired by the zone. All this while, we were hiring. But, we now have our own sound trucks to work with.”
According to him, the zone had started sensitising the people on the importance of bagging their waste before disposal, “but we’re starting from the corporate bodies”.
“Recently, our information department has been going to schools to educate the pupils and students on the importance of keeping their environment clean.”
The deputy general manager used the opportunity to commend the media for its partnership with the zone, adding that the zone had reached a great milestone from the partnership.
