Akwa Ibom suspends waste evacuation officers after devastating floods

Several waste evacuation contractors in Akwa Ibom State have been suspended for negligence, following a routine inspection that revealed deeply concerning sanitation conditions in Uyo. Prince Ikim, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), announced the suspension after witnessing the accumulation of refuse in areas that had recently been devastated by severe flooding.

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The timely removal of refuse remains a top priority for the agency. We will not accept any excuse for lapses in waste management.

The inspection highlighted failures in critical areas, including around Ibom Hall, IBB Way by the Children’s Home, Samlaw hotel, the Nigeria Labour Congress area, and the State Secretariat. These "resource persons," as the government termed them, were responsible for supervising waste evacuation but allegedly failed to perform their duties promptly, despite receiving regular payments. "The timely removal of refuse remains a top priority for the agency. We will not accept any excuse for lapses in waste management," Ikim stated during the inspection.

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They don’t evacuate promptly. I was on a routine visit to those sites. Since they failed to do prompt evacuation, I had to suspend them.

The suspension comes as authorities grapple with the aftermath of flooding that submerged numerous homes, causing significant property and livestock losses. Ikim emphasized that waste should be evacuated daily and that contractors must find alternatives if their equipment malfunctions, as they receive monthly stipends. He also directed the immediate evacuation of accumulated waste and pledged to intensify monitoring across the state to prevent future lapses. Efforts are also underway to desilt drains and canals, such as Nkemba and Ikot Ekpene Road, to improve water flow and mitigate future flood risks.

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Waste should be evacuated every day. I know the level of waste that accumulates if a vehicle breaks down for just one or two days. If your vehicle has malfunctioned, you should look for an alternative because there is no month we do not pay them.