By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Workers and others doing business around Akwa ibom State government house have expressed fears over possible outbreak of epidemic as the odour of a nearby dumpsite has continued to send offensive stench into the seat of government.
It would be recalled that the yet to be overcome Covid-19 at some point affected no fewer than 100 persons within the hilltop mansion, a development many attributed to the closeness of the dumpsite to government house.
Located at a distance of about 200 meters from government house, the dumpsite situated along Uyo village road was relocated from Udoh street, where residents had vacated no fewer than 30 surrounding buildings due to cases of deaths reported of those who lived closest to the former site.
It could be recalled that the stench from the dumpsite claimed the life of a woman some years ago despite the state government flying her out of the country for medical treatment outside the country, a situation which stirred protest in the area, lead government to relocate the dumpsite to Uyo village road.
Unfortunately, the new dump site which was initially declared temporary, having been used for over three years now, has continued to send embarrassing stench into the government house , especially the Press Corps and the Governor’s lodge.
Also affected by this offensive odour are the Uyo Local Government Secretariat, Akwa Ibom State Judiciary, A Division of the Area Command, the new Traditional Rulers Complex, Health Center Uyo, Uyo Club, Governor’s office Annex, and other private buildings surrounding the area.
Consequently, some businesses along Wellington Bassey Way, where the Government House is situated have relocated to safer areas as dealers have continued to complain of low patronage
It has also been observed that disposal trucks conveying refuse to the dumpsite have continued to leave trails of refuse along Wellington Bassey Way, where the Government House is situated, and a restricted area to certain categories of vehicles.
It was observed during the state’s anniversary celebrations that the refuse trucks, numbering over 10, due to obstruction of visitors coming into Government House were packed at the “Globe” by Brook Street, a situation many considered an embarrassment on such an auspicious day.
Reacting to this ugly situation, the State Commissioner for Enviromment, Mr Charles Udoh admitted that government was aware of the situation and was working towards ameliorating it.
“”We are aware of the issue and are working towards getting rid of it. We have an investor who is coming to convert the waste to power, so the stench we have there and everything will soon disappear. We just talked to the guys, it is Covid-19 that slowed us down”. Udoh said
Asked when the stench would leave government house, the commissioner said “well, I cannot give you a timeline now, but we are in discussion with them. Rest assured that we are working towards it.
“It is not just moving the refuse from there because if we move from there we are going to dump it somewhere else and it’s going to create another problem. Rather we are looking at a way of managing the waste so that it would not be injurious to human health”.
At the dumpsite, one of the Scavenger-in-Chief, Mr Edet Ekeng said they are helping government to turn the waste into wealth by employing several people who were hitherto unemployed
Ekeng asked the state government to establish proper waste management plans as done in Aba and Asaba where they usually take their goods for sale
