ASEPA set to introduce waste bagging to improve on environment cleanliness in Abia

By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu On Jun 11, 2025

Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia

In its revolve to make Abia one of the cleanest state in the Nigeria the
Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has announced plans to introduce a waste bagging initiative aimed at streamlining refuse collection and disposal in the state.

The Deputy General Manager
ASEPA Umuahia Zone, Catechist Ambrose Jonah, who stated this during an interaction with journalists in Umuahia the state capital, added that residents caught littering the street of Abia with refuse will face a ₦20,000 fine and a possible prosecution.

Jonah, maintained that the agency is working toward a clean and green Abia, adding that community engagement strategy including outreach to motor parks, markets, schools, and churches would used to sustain their efforts.

“We’ll talk directly to people about environmental responsibility, whether they are citizens, residents, or visitors, after anyone caught violating our rules will be handed over to the police and prosecuted in court,” he said.

To address inaccessible areas, he said ASEPA offers a door-to-door waste collection service using tricycle pickups, available twice weekly at a cost of ₦300 per month, while Waste disposal bags will be sold for ₦150 each.

Jonah revealed that ASEPA
has experienced, “a radical shift” in environmental management in Abia State as a result of the declaration of a state of emergency on the environment sanitation by Governor Alex Otti.

He said: “Before Governor Otti took office, Abia was plagued by bad roads and filth. Today, that story is changing and we are part of that change.”

“Thanks to the governor’s support, ASEPA has received essential equipment, including pay loaders, compactors, caterpillars, roll-off bins, monitoring tricycle buses, and pickups vans.

“These resources have enabled the agency to improve waste evacuation efforts across the Umuahia zone, with a focus on clearing ancient drainage systems and preventing flood-prone blockages”.

He however, he expressed concern over the persistent habit of indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters, describing it as “environmentally dangerous and a direct affront to the governor’s vision.”

Jonah called for a sustained collaboration with journalists to advance the state’s environmental transformation agenda.

He emphasized on the critical role the media plays in driving public awareness and accountability in environmental matters. “We cannot achieve our goals without the media. Journalists are not just stakeholders, they are partners in this vision,” he said.

In a significant development, Jonah revealed ASEPA’s ongoing efforts to build waste recycling plants in Aba and Umuahia. The goal he said is to shift from waste disposal to resource recovery, in line with global sustainability trends.

Under Jonah’s leadership, ASEPA appears to be carving out a reputation as a model for environmental reform in Nigeria. With the backing of the state government and active media involvement, the agency is aiming to turn Abia into the cleanest state in the country, a goal Jonah insists is both ambitious and achievable.

“This journey is far from over, but we are on the right track. With continued support from journalists and the public, we will get there,” he insisted.

Also ASEPA Director of Information, Mrs. Blessing Ogbonna, and Deputy Director, Mrs. Ebere Ogbuagu, echoed his sentiments. They praised journalists for their role in projecting ASEPA’s progress. “Your stories have helped rebrand this agency. We urge you to keep supporting the mission,” they said.