By Ugochukwu Alaribe

ABA-Residents of the Federal Housing Estate and Emelogu Road in Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State have cried out to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over the looming epidemic that could break out due to the stench emitting from a dumpsite in the area.

The residents lamented that if nothing was done urgently to stop the dumping of refuse in the area, their lives and that of children of two private schools which over look the dumpsite would be in great danger.

Heaps of refuse

Residents of the area told South East Voice that Gov. Ikpeazu had while serving as the Deputy General Manager, Aba zone of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, in 2014, cleared the dumpsite which was known as ‘Emelogu Mountain’ because of heaps of refuse which covered the road. But shortly after he left office, the ‘Emelogu Mountain’ had been allowed to build up again.

The people further lamented that ASEPA uses the borrow-pit which is surrounded by residential houses and two private Nursery and Primary Schools as dumpsite with   hundreds of tons of refuse daily with its attendant health hazards particularly to the school children.

They however, appealed to the governor to direct ASEPA to relocate the dumpsite to a safer site before an epidemic breaks out in the area.

“We appeal to the governor to at least for the sake of these little school children who are more vulnerable in the event of any epidemic outbreak,   to direct ASEPA to relocate the dumpsite to a safer site,” they said.

When South East Voice visited the dumpsite on Emelogu Road, a rickety ASEPA earth-moving machine was seen working to clear the surging refuse from the road. However, passersby were seen covering their noses due to the stench oozing out from the dumpsite that could be perceived from more than 500 metres away.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Deputy General Manager, ASEPA, Aba zone, Mr. Rowland Nwakanma proved futile as he was said to be busy when South East Voice called at his office.