By Aniebiet Francis
Pastor Umo Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, gained significant attention towards the end of 2024 for equipping the Akwa Ibom Waste Management and Environmental Protection Agency with advanced machinery to enhance its operations. The new equipment included:
– 5 units of waste compacting trucks
– 4 units of waste swing arm trucks
– 1 unit of pull-up waste truck with a crane mechanism
– 50 units of 6,000-litre dumpsters
– 6 units of 12,000-litre dumpsters
Additionally, Governor Eno announced plans to issue an executive order to provide legal backing for prosecuting individuals caught in indiscriminate waste disposal and to reward the cleanest local government by May 29, 2025.
Akwa Ibom State has held an unbeaten record as Nigeria’s cleanest state for six consecutive years. Governor Eno, known for continuing and consolidating previous administrations’ projects, has expanded the state’s Waste Management and Environmental Protection Agency’s operational scope, encompassing a comprehensive area, ensuring effective waste management across the region. It covers the entirety of Uyo Capital City, which includes Uyo, Itu, Uruan, Ibesikpo Asutan, and Ibiono Ibom. The agency’s jurisdiction extends from the Imo River Bridge, marking the boundary between Akwa Ibom and Rivers State, along the East-West Road to Ete Junction in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area.
Furthermore, the agency manages waste from Uyo to key locations such as 4 Points by Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene Plaza, and the Old Secretariat on Aba Road in Ikot Ekpene. Its coverage also reaches Nkim Itam in Itu LGA, Awa in Onna LGA, and Ikot Ekpene Udo in NsIt Ubium, including the surrounding areas. This extensive scope ensures that major entry and exit points, as well as critical urban and rural areas, are maintained at high environmental standards, contributing to the state’s cleanliness and sustainability goals.
This initiative has also created numerous job opportunities, reducing unemployment significantly. The agency now employs:
– 3,865 sweepers
– 350 vegetation controllers
– 50 desilters
– 150 waste evacuation officers
– 110 waste intervention officers
– 39 desilting officers
– 18 drivers
In total, 4,752 personnel have been employed across various roles in the agency, marking a substantial contribution to job creation and environmental sustainability in the state.
Prince Ikim, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Waste Management and Environmental Protection Agency, highlighted Governor Umo Eno’s strategic focus on waste management as a significant economic opportunity, referring to it as “the new oil.” He emphasized that the Governor is committed to fully harnessing the potential wealth in this sector, leaving no stone unturned.
Prince Ikim also revealed that Governor Eno had entrusted him with the substantial task of exploring the latest technologies in waste recycling. The objective is to establish a waste recycling industry in Akwa Ibom State, which is expected to create additional employment opportunities for the populace and boost the state’s internally generated revenue. This initiative aligns with the governor’s broader vision of leveraging innovative solutions to drive state economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Governor Umo Eno’s environmental initiatives are a cornerstone of his broader Arise Agenda, which focuses on sustainable development, economic empowerment, and infrastructural growth. By equipping the Akwa Ibom Waste Management and Environmental Protection Agency with state-of-the-art machinery and expanding its operational scope, Governor Eno is not only addressing immediate environmental concerns but also laying a foundation for long-term economic benefits.
The planned executive order to prosecute indiscriminate waste disposal and incentivize cleanliness among local governments underscores his commitment to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. This holistic approach not only preserves Akwa Ibom’s status as Nigeria’s cleanest state but also aligns with the Arise Agenda’s goal of creating a livable and economically vibrant state.
Moreover, the emphasis on waste recycling and the potential establishment of a recycling industry demonstrates Governor Eno’s forward-thinking leadership.
By transforming waste management into a lucrative economic sector, he is turning environmental challenges into opportunities for job creation and revenue generation. This initiative not only contributes to reducing unemployment but also enhances the state’s internally generated revenue, thereby fueling further development.
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