“Sanitation is a key aspect of living. It requires a careful and deliberate programming in all key aspects to ensure that our environment is safe and free from hazards which emanate from pollution of the air, water and sound. Our objectives in this area will be to make Udenu clean. Our key thrusts in the area of environmental Management and sanitation will encouraging re-greening through tree planting and curbing reckless deforestation.”— Aka Eze Aka in page 24 of his manifesto 2024.
In a commendable demonstration of commitment to his campaign pledges as quoted above, Akachukwu Eze, the newly elected Executive Chairman of Udenu LGA, is taking significant strides to elevate sanitation standards across the Local Government Area. Since winning the September 21 local council elections, he has embarked on an ambitious program to clear refuse dumps and ensure a cleaner environment for residents.
In alignment with his campaign manifesto, which emphasized the importance of sanitation and environmental management, Aka is already making waves by addressing long-standing waste management issues. Among the most critical sites being targeted for evacuation are the hazardous refuse dumps along the Ugwuegbe burrow pit and the life-threatening refuse dump beside the old High Court at Obollo Afor. These areas have long posed health risks to the community and their swift clearance marks a pivotal point in restoring public safety and environmental integrity.
This approach is even going beyond mere removal of waste. The Council Mayor is actively setting up a structured waste disposal system aimed at regular and efficient refuse management. This initiative is expected to create a cleaner environment, thereby endorsing his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Udenu becomes renowned for its cleanliness and environmental sustainability.
“Our goal is to make Enugu clean, and we are starting right here in Udenu,” Aka stated during a telephone interview by Journalists who monitored the evacuation this afternoon. “We are deploying scientific methods for waste collection and disposal, and we’ll introduce measures that curb pollution affecting our air, water, and soil.”
In his manifesto, Aka also pledged to adopt a comprehensive strategy to promote re-greening through tree planting and the use of renewable energy systems in crucial facilities like hospitals and schools. He is committed to improving regulations that mitigate soil erosion and overhauling the sewage system to keep it unclogged.
Furthermore, his administration is set to establish a Waste to Wealth Agency, which will not only facilitate recycling efforts but also stimulate local business through innovative waste management practices. Among the prominent issues he aims to address is the eradication of open defecation by enforcing the installation of toilet facilities in all households, with sanitary officers to ensure compliance. He is already doing this through the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme in Enugu State.
As Udenu residents witness these changes firsthand, Aka Eze Aka’s leadership is rapidly transforming his campaign promises into tangible outcomes. His swift action demonstrates a genuine desire to uplift the community and promote a culture of cleanliness, safety, and sustainability.
The local populace interviewed are hopeful that these measures will pave the way for a renewed sense of pride in their environment and set a benchmark for other Local Government’s across the State.
