ASEPA reviews waste disposal tariffs/rates, warms residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu On Jan 15, 2025

Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia

The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA)
has approved new rates and tariffs for the payment of waste levy by residents of the state.

The Director General ASEPA Mr Ogbonnia Okereke, announced this on Tuesday through an executive order signed by Governor Alex Otti.

He said the review of the rates was inline with section 2 of Abia State tax codification and consolidation amendment law of 2024.

Okereke revealed that residents living in a room apartment are to pay N300 monthly, self-contained N500, 2 or 3 room flat N1000 while semi-detached duplexes are to pay N1500 and standard duplexes N2000.

Others include mansions N3000, shops N500, single owner compound with two houses N4000, while those with 3 – 6 houses will pay between the sum of N5000 to N6000 depending on the size of houses.
Shops/stalls in the market are to pay N1000 respectively.

Hotels, departmental stores, lounges/Bars, Eatery, restaurants supermarket, pharmacies, hospital, schools, mechanic/auto repair workshops,banks, church offices military/paramilitary offices were also covered in the new tariff with their various rates.

The ASEPA DG pointed out that payment should be made into the state government single treasurer account through banks or residents personal devices using the appropriate revenue name, category number and revenue codes.

He said, “we want to acquaint
Abia residents on the newly enhanced rates and tariffs for waste management. This has been in works for a long time now and we have gotten to the end of this review with the signing of an executive order by Governor Alex Otti. This gives the executive order the necessary power and backing to be implemented.

“I want to add that this was a thorough job, if you look at the cost of our operations you will agree with us that the tariffs are more than considerate, it will not cover the cost of our operations government will still subsidize, but we are just trying to ensure that we reduced the burden on government because in addition to waste management government still have to provide hospitals, schools markets and a whole lot of other services that are of benefits to citizens.

“If you look at the rates it covers different types of houses and properties both small, medium and large sizes, we also stated clearly that properties not included here will be treated based on usage volume of human traffic and business type.

“This rates applies for Umuahia and Aba, locations outside the two towns will charged half of what those in Umuahia and Aba are paying because we render services across the entire state, we are in every Local Government Area of the state. We plead with our people to pay to support the government to provide the services.

“Let me remind us that disposal of refuse in open drainage or bushes is an offense. Anybody seen doing that is actually a defaulter. Our services has been extended to the major towns and villages. We have deployed buckets and receptacles across the state and very soon we should be going to households to collect their refuse, so nobody has any reason to dump refuse elsewhere. The rates is one bit. We also have the bit of the fines for dumpings at wrong places.

“Let me state it clearly that this Government does not collect any payment in cash, people can pay in the bank or through their devices. All they need to do is get the revenue name/code category number codes.

“Residents can can pay into TSA with the appropriate category number and revenue codes it will be recorded for them, there is no cash payment or payment through an agent, if we decide to use an agent tomorrow we will let the people know about it”.