OWERRI RESIDENTS EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER DELAY IN REFUSE EVACUATION AFTER SANITATION EXERCISES. (PHOTO).

 Owerri Residents Express Concerns Over Delay in Refuse Evacuation After Sanitation Exercises

Residents of Owerri, the capital of Imo State, have voiced their dissatisfaction with the delays in the removal of refuse from the city following sanitation exercises.

They have expressed frustration that this delay is turning major roads into illegal dumping sites.

Several residents, speaking anonymously to our correspondent, explained that it has become a recurring issue every last Saturday of the month, after the environmental sanitation exercise, when waste is often left scattered along major roads in the city.

Mrs. Caroline Ojinduka, a food vendor, shared her concerns, saying the refuse can remain for weeks or even months before being cleared by the waste management authorities.

“The smell from the waste site drives customers away, causing significant losses in sales,” she said. “It also negatively impacts our businesses, and the odor is harmful to health—it’s not environmentally friendly at all.”

Similarly, Chinelo Nduka, a fruit vendor at Ekeonuwa market, described the sight of the refuse piles in the market as a major eyesore. She lamented that the situation was unpleasant and damaging to the market's image.

Residents living in the area also expressed frustration, stating that there is no reason for refuse to remain unattended to for such long periods after the sanitation exercise, before it is eventually collected.

Dr. Vitalis Iheka, a public health expert, added that the refuse poses a serious health risk to the public. He called on the relevant authorities to fulfill their responsibilities and ensure the prompt removal of waste from public spaces to prevent potential health hazards.

During a tour of the area, our correspondent found that several major roads in the city have been turned into makeshift dump sites.