Residents of Owerri, the capital of Imo State, have appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma and other relevant authorities in the state to expedite action on evacuating the heaps of refuse on the MCC/Uratta Road and other residential areas in the metropolis.
They said the repulsive odour oozing from the refuse posed health hazards to them.
A resident, Mr Hycinth Uwadioke, told our correspondent on Wednesday that the refuse heaps had been there for weeks.
Uwadioke, a bricklayer, said the refuse on the MCC/Uratta Road posed health hazard to his family, adding that his three children had been admitted to hospital for three times.
He stated that the refuse heap on the road had made the metropolis filthy, disturbed the free flow of traffic and affected business activities in the area.
Uwadioke said, “Many residential buildings are around the refuse dump on the road. Many of our children have fallen sick of infection with abdominal disorder, malaria and typhoid, among others. Personally, I have spent my hard-earned money in hospitals.
“My children cannot sleep without the generator being put on to power the fan to drive away the repulsive odour and mosquitoes. We are sending a Save-Our-Soul message to the governor to help us.”
Another resident, who simply identified himself as Chief, said leaving the refuse on the road and near residences was wickedness and negligence on the part of the state government.
He stated that prior to now, the area was never a refuse dump, and blamed the failure to evacuate the waste on the Imo State Waste Management Agency.
Another resident of Ebikoro, Mrs Nkechi Osuji, implored the governor and the waste management agency to clear the refuse so as to save the residents of untimely death.
When contacted on the telephone, an aide of the Chairman of the ISWMA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged the residents to help the government by dumping their refuse at designated areas.
She said the volume of waste at different spots on the road was shocking as the agency had evacuated the garbage last week.
“The residents started dumping refuse there on their own volition. People should join hands with the governor and the ISWMA to sanitise the environment. We shall ensure that the dirt is evacuated within the shortest possible time, but people should help themselves, while the ISWMA does the needful,” she stated.,,
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