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Warns Against Vandalising Government Property
Chukwujekwu Ilozue
The Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clems Aguiyi, has warned scrap and waste merchants under the umbrella body of National Association of Scraps and Waste Dealers of Nigeria (NASWDEN), Anambra State chapter, to guard against environmentally harmful practices in their operations.
Hon. Aguiyi also warned the dealers not to vandalise government or private properties in the course of doing their businesses, as this could lead to dire consequences advising that members must register with their mother union, as well as the state Ministry of Environment, so that dealers could be known and identified individually.
He also gave the waste dealers 60 days to fence their business premises, and ensure that scraps metals, cartons, plastics and other items do not litter the environment or constitute an eyesore on the roadside and the environment.
Aguiyi issued the warning when executive members of the association visited his office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariate, Awka.
The commissioner who recounted how dirty and filthy environment could lead to environmental degradation, sicknesses and road congestion, cautioned the association to conduct their businesses in line with environmental laws and regulations.
According to him, “Disposing of scrap materials and waste in public areas contributes to pollution, harm and visual blight. Also disposing of waste in unauthorized locations can disrupt ecosystem and create hazards for human health and safety.
Addressing these practices he said is crucial for the sustainability of the environment and public health.
He also told the union to profile their members, and warned that any dealer not willing to belong to the union should not be in the business.
He further told the union to go on air and sensitize their members on the new directive.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the chairman of the association, Comrade Igboke Stephen Azubuike, promised the commissioner that the union will work with the Ministry of Environment to achieve the common objectives of having a clean and sustainable environment.
Comrade Igboke called on all the Scrap and Waste Dealers in the state to register with the union to enable it fish out criminal elements hiding under the scrap business.
He further advised all the units and local government leaders to unite and champion the aims and objectives of the association by reporting law-breakers among them to security agencies#