By Ify Achugbue
In a move to promote a cleaner and healthier environment, the Delta State Waste Management Board has pledged to work closely with the Ughelli-North Local Government Council to curb the menace of indiscriminate refuse disposal.
The Chairman of the board, Hon. Matthew Mofe Edema, gave the assurance on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Ughelli-North Council Chairman, Hon. Jaro Egbo.
Hon. Edema emphasized the urgent need for practical strategies that would help address the growing challenge of waste being dumped indiscriminately in the area. While commending the efforts of the Council’s Supervisory Councillor for Environment, he expressed concern over the Ekuigbo dumpsite, which he noted is dangerously close to residential areas. He therefore urged the Council to develop an alternative dumpsite at Ejekreota.
The Waste Management Board boss also cautioned that private sector participants (PSP operators) must live up to their responsibilities, warning that defaulters risk sanctions from the board.
In his response, Ughelli-North Council Chairman, Hon. Jaro Egbo, welcomed the partnership, describing it as timely and necessary. He assured that his administration remains committed to a cleaner environment and disclosed that monthly sanitation exercises have been sustained across the local government area.
Egbo further revealed that plans were already in place to create an additional dumpsite at Ejekreota through excavation work.
He however raised concerns about the inadequate number of PSP operators serving the area and called for the registration of more operators to meet the waste management needs of the fast-growing population..
