Celebrating 2 years of effective waste management: ASEPA’s new narrative in Abia
By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu
The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “Change is the only constant in life.” This timeless assertion best captures the transformation that Abia State has witnessed in environmental sanitation these two years.
Upon assuming office, Gov. Alex Otti declared a state of emergency on waste management, particularly targeting the cities of Aba and Umuahia, which had been overwhelmed by refuse for decades.
Aba, the commercial hub of the state, had long earned a reputatUponion as one of Nigeria’s dirtiest cities, plagued by unsightly heaps of waste that posed serious health risks to residents.
Determined to reverse this narrative, Gov. Otti took decisive action within 48 hours of assuming office. Braving a torrential downpour, he led the then newly formed Task Force on Waste Evacuation through the streets of Aba, initiating the first major cleanup on Asa Road. That symbolic act marked the beginning of a new era in refuse management across Abia.
Under the leadership of Mazi Ogbonnia Okereke as General Manager, the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has undergone a remarkable transformation. The agency was empowered with the necessary tools, including newly acquired waste disposal trucks and locally produced waste receptacles strategically placed across collection points in the state.
To ensure comprehensive coverage, Gov. Otti appointed experienced professionals as Deputy General Managers in the three senatorial zones: Mr. Ambrose Jonah (Umuahia), Elder Okezie Ezengwa (Aba), and Mr Peter Ekewe for Ohafia. This strategic deployment has fostered a holistic and coordinated approach to waste collection and disposal.
Additionally, the administration inaugurated the ASEPA Monitoring and Compliance Team to enforce environmental regulations across the zones. This initiative supports Gov. Otti’s broader vision of a clean, sustainable, and eco-friendly Abia, with zero tolerance for environmental violations.
One of the standout innovations has been the reintroduction of door-to-door waste collection in parts of Aba and Umuahia, as well as street-to-street collection in parts of Abia North. This initiative has received widespread accolade from residents and the Abia diaspora, rekindling public trust in environmental governance.
The state’s progress in waste management is also evolving towards a circular economy. ASEPA has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a waste management firm possessing both international expertise and local experience. This partnership aims to convert waste into valuable resources, minimising landfill dependency and promoting sustainable recycling practices.
Further aligning with its mandate to protect public health and the environment, ASEPA has renovated and retrofitted key abattoirs, including those in Lokpanta and Uzuakoli, which had previously been shut down for failing to meet international hygienic standards.
As part of its long-term reforms, the government is initiating the construction of biogas plants at these facilities. These plants will replace the use of hazardous tyre flames with cleaner, safer energy sources derived from animal waste.
This forward-thinking approach – beginning with the Lokpanta abattoir – represents a significant cultural shift and a commitment to public health and environmental sustainability.
As Abia State works to cement its place among Nigeria’s cleanest and most progressive states, the participation of every resident remains crucial. Citizens are encouraged to support ASEPA’s efforts by promptly paying sanitation fees and adopting responsible waste disposal practices.
A cleaner, greener Abia is not only achievable but already taking shape.
#GovOttiIisBuildingTheNewAbia
#ToGodBeTheGlory
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu is a journalist and public affairs analyst based in Umuahia, Abia State.