Fear of epidemic looms as refuse take-over Owerri
Residents of Owerri, the Imo state capital may risk the outbreak of an epidemic as the major streets in the state have been overtaken by heaps of garbage following the withdrawal of services by waste disposal companies.
An investigation by our correspondent revealed that the waste management companies withdrew their services last Monday.
A staff with the Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) who pleaded for anonymity disclosed that the wast management companies were owed backlog of arrears by the state
government.
“These companies largely owned by Imo citizens have been working since November 2019, incurring operating costs and from inception of work no payment has been made to these companies.
“It may also interest you to know that the contractors have employed over 100 workers, invested and borrowed money to purchase heavy duty waste disposal trucks, set up offices in Owerri and invested monies and time in keeping Owerri and its metropolis clean,’’ he said.
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The waste management companies were engaged through a due process backed by a contract on November 1, 2019 by ENTRACO to provide waste disposal services in the state for a period of one year. Most of streets littered with garbage include Douglas Road, Umuguma/Hospital Road, Mbari Street and Tetlow/School Road.
