By Ikpechukwu Chinedu
Residents of Nsukka town in Nsukka Local Government Area, are currently in danger of epidemic as major streets, roads and markets are littered with waste.
Coming into the university town, from FinPark through Ugwuoye junction to Peace Park and Ogige Main Market, one is greeted by heaps of waste materials stacked at the centre of the dual carriageway – one of the legacy projects of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in the town.
Traders could be seen displaying their wares beside refuse dumps as thick stench pollutes the air, just as commuters beckon on potential passengers ignoring the deep horrible stench.
The situation is the same across the town especially at Aku Road, Beach Junction, New Anglican Road, Ogurugu Road and Barracks Junction.
A group known as Concerned Nsukka Patriots had raised an alarm over the impending epidemic but their call has not elicited any action from both the local government or the state government.
The group attributed the situation to the disengagement of waste removal experts by the Enugu State Government for alleged political reasons, alleging that the outcome of the last general election resulted in the replacement of waste disposal experts with touts who were used by the ruling party during the last election.
Investigation by Core News however reveals that the refuse situation in Nsukka had not been any better in the past.
Chinonso Obayi, a trader who deals in phone accessories close to Peace Park said that despite the huge sum they are forced to pay as sanitation levy, the government often fails to clear the refuse.
“This is where I do my business but it is very sad that we have to perceive this kind of odour every morning. The stench is just too much for everyone here. It is not a good sight and the government does nothing about it. I expect that with the amount we are paying as levy, they should be collecting these things every morning.”
“At times I fall sick but I don’t know what is the cause. It is possible that this refuse dump is behind it. My sales girl could not come to work today because of sickness. These things affect us just that we may not know the implication, he said.
Chinyere Attah, a food vendor opposite Ogige market blamed the government for the indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the road in the town. She said that the government should provide dump stands where residents can conveniently dispose-off refuse.
“I don’t know what to say about this issue. Where on earth do you see refuse dumped in the middle of the road if not in Nsukka,” she queried.
“For me, the government is to blame because if there was a place to dispose of waste materials, this place would not look like this. They are only interested in collecting money from us but they will not do the right thing.
“Thank your God you came today, if you had come last week, you would not be able to stand here. There are days that I hardly sell anything because of the way this place is looking. Government should help us,” she pleaded.”
Other respondents called on the state government and the local government to act to save Nsukka residents from a massive epidemic.
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