By Okey Maduforo Awka

The authorities of Onitsha South local government area have warned that it would not take kindly to the act of dumping refuse at the proposed site for River Niger Beach.

Recall that last year over three thousand illegal structures were demolished by the Onitsha South local government Council in preparation for the establishment of the beach .

The beach which is to provide recreational facilities and business opportunities for the residents and business community has in the last two weeks been defaced by those refuse.

Speaking shortly after the clearing of the refuse dump the Council Mayor Chief Emeka Joseph Orji warned that the Council would not hastate to enforce the relevant environmental laws adding that those found guilty would be made to face the wrath of the law.

“This is an area that had earlier been cleared for the establishment of the River Niger Beach which would have restaurants bars and other relaxation facilities but some people have chosen to convert it to a refuse dump which is unacceptable by law”

“There is an exciting law against illegal and indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Onitsha and we will not fail to enforce those relevant laws”

“A task force is already in place to monitor activities at the River Niger Beach and those found wanting would be made to face the long arms of the law” he said.

Chief Emeka Joseph Orji, stated that the plan is to construct an entertainment, leisure, and fun center that will attract men of timber and caliber from all works of life.

“In no distant time, Onitsha South will be a tourist home for all Nigerians and beyond and is already creating job opportunities for our youth.

“This is in line with the vision of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to build a smart, livable, and prosperous Anambra State”, Chief Orji stated.

Special Assistant to the council Mayor on politics, Hon. Dunu Chiadikaobi, monitored the exercise and reiterated that the junk was an eyesore, but the needful has been done.

The contract for clearing the junk was handled by Rytec Company; the company is also engaged in the sweeping of Niger Street, Port Harcourt Road, Zik Avenue, and Creek Road, respectively.

Obinna Uchendu Abakaliki

A Citizen Engagement and Capacity Building Specialist, USAID Nigeria – State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity, Mr. Habila Salem and other stakeholders of Ebonyi State have called for an end to open defecation in the State to curb the menace associated with the practice.

They made the call during a 2-day stakeholders consultative meeting on the review of the State’s Water Resources Policy held at the USAID (State2State) Activity office Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State.

Mr. Salem said that there is the need to disabuse the minds of residents of the State especially rural dwellers that open defecation is another form of fertilizing our crops adding that there are many dangers associated with open defecation.

“There is this wrong notion by those who practice open defecation that the practice supplies manures to crops. That’s a very wrong notion because when you compare the advantage of providing manures through human feces, you understand that the danger and disadvantages outweighs the advantages. There are many risks involved which one of them is the constant cholera outbreak in the state.

“So there is the urgent need to correct that notion and to also change the behavior of people. There are alternative ways of manuring our farms, not through open defecation. That’s not a good idea for me”, he said.

He also advised the state government to carry out more citizens sensitization on the need to stop open defecation.

“State2State is aware of the situation in Ebonyi and that is why State2State is supporting the state to improve WASH Service delivery.

“Coincidentally, we are supporting a review of the state policy. That was the State’s WASE policy to address the situation and that is fundamental.

“When we have a robust policy framework for the state, it will support effective service delivery. And we are looking at service delivery that is responsive to all category of citizens of the state.

“So currently we are doing that to ensure that the state has a robust policy and legal framework for wash service delivery.

“The state will need to invest more in cutting down on open defecation, engage with citizens and all stakeholders in addressing this issue.

“The state will also need to sensitize citizens on the dangers of open defecation. There is need for behavioral change of the citizens regarding open defecation.

“So it requires a concerted effort of all. Government alone cannot achieve that. Even private sector participants need to come in. You know, they say for every problem, it may be an opportunity for another to benefit.

“So business people can also come in to provide services in terms of providing public toilets at public places and make some money out of it too. So it’s an opportunity for business for the private sector too. And that will actually go a long way in reducing the problem.

In his remark, the General Manager, GM of Ebonyi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (EBRUWASA) (GM), Mr. Agwu Joseph said that the Agency has drilled 51 boreholes across the State in 2024.

He noted that the state was able to achieve this after it paid its counterpart fund of N200m for the Federal Government’s Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, (P-WASH).

Mr. Agwu said that under the partnership, more toilets facilities will be constructed in public places.