Deputy general manager, Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency, Umuahia zone, Catchist Ambrose Jonah has said the zone encountered ancient gutters that had been undesilted for about 35 years in the state capital. Jonah stated this, yesterday, while speaking to newsmen on some of the challenges and successes the zone had recorded since his assumption of office in February, in the capital. “It was a very serious project, but with the support and encouragement of the governor, Alex Otti, we have continued with the exercise even on daily basis to avoid flooding,” he noted.
He said another challenge was the condition of the dump site “which had been completely overtaken by refuse, but with our bulldozers working there up to 10 hours a day, we’re gradually making headway.” Jonah, who is the first deputy general of the zone, explained that when he came on board, the zone had few rickety trucks which he said he quickly refurbished and put to use. He also said with the support of the governor, who had on assumption of office last year declared a state of emergency on sanitation in the state, acquired a compactor, roll-off, and caterpillar within three months.
“This, fortunately, happened to be the first caterpillar ever acquired by the zone. All this while, we were hiring. But, we now have our own and sound trucks to work with.
” According to him, the zone had started sensitising the people on the importance of bagging their waste before disposal, “but, we’re star.