The Managing Director, Anambra State Waste Management Agency, ASWAMA, Mr Amechi Akora has cautioned residents of the state against the burning of waste both at homes and refuse collection points to avoid preventable disaste
Mr Akora also warned that frying bean-cake or roasting suya to ensure that their fire is properly extinguished before disposing of the charcoal inside dumpsters and waste bins.
Mr Akora explained that some waste materials are combustible and some can cause an explosion which can threaten lives and property in an area.
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He said the emission from burning waste materials do not only cause climate change but also health challenges, occupational and social hazards.
He said the agency has intensified Waste collection and disposal across the state to ensure a clean and healthy environment for the people, urging them to also clean up their homes and surroundings as well as desilt drainages around their building in the spirit of yuletide.
He stressed the need for people to take responsibility for their waste and avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse right from their home and learn to put their waste in trash bags to prevent an outbreak of epidemics.
He explained that Government spend huge resource every month to maintain clean environment and has commenced enforcement of ASWAMA law 2015 including intensifying collection of sanitation levies in the drive to reduce visibility of waste in public domain and expressed satisfaction that remarkable achievements have been recorded in the implementation of Clean Closer Initiative which focused on non-disposal of refuse in public places.
Mr Akora disclosed that the Agency will partner churches, faith based organizations, schools, markets and communities to drive advocacy on sanitation and engage more hands through public-private sector partnership to scale up sanitation across the State.