By Ovat Abeng
The Anambra State Government through the Executive Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Hon Stanley Nkwoka, has evacuated a 14-year-old toxic waste products discovered at Owelle Aja in Obosi community within the council area.
The evacuation exercise that took place between Wednesday, July 23rd, and Thursday, the 24th, 2026, in the community witnessed the presence of security agencies, health workers, and thousands of concerned residents.
According to the Executive Chairman who spoke with Journalists, the waste dumpsite was discovered following a distress report made by some persons who were newly packed into the area.
READ ALSO: NMCN Registrar Praises Obi’s Vision as Millennium College Graduates 116 Pioneer Students in Anambra
He said the breakthrough was part of his commitment towards keeping Idemili North clean, healthy and habitable in line with governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a clean, green, smart, digitalized, livable and prosperous state in Nigeria by 2070.
Nkwoka expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse by some residents, noting that the council had identified six major dumpsites in Owelle Aja that required urgent attention.
He explained that the evacuation of the dumpsites had been delayed by the lack of access roads into the community, as well as the low electrification poles and overhead wires which posed a challenge to the movement of heavy duty trucks and equipment.
He noted that the council worked with landlords in the area to create access roads, thereby making it possible for the evacuation exercise to commence.
The Chairman assured residents that the council would continue the exercise until all the identified refuse dumpsites in the community were cleared.
He also disclosed plans to engage landlords and tenants on a sustainable waste disposal system to prevent the re emergence of illegal dumpsites.
He urged residents to properly bag their refuse and keep it in front of their houses for collection by accredited waste management contractors operating in the area.
He warned that anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately would face sanctions, including being required to hire two tipper trucks to evacuate waste from the area or face possible legal action.
Some residents who also spoke during the exercise expressed appreciation to the local government authority for responding to their concerns.
A landlord in the area, Mazi Kelechi, attributed the prolonged accumulation of refuse to disagreements among some landlords and thanked the council for the huge intervention.
Other residents, including Mr Chijioke Nweke and Mrs Anthonia Isidiuko, expressed excitement over the evacuation, recalling the health risks and environmental challenges posed by the accumulated waste.
They commended the Chairman for clearing the dumpsite and restoring access to the street while appealing for sustained monitoring to prevent the return of the indiscriminate dumping.
