Delta State Waste Management Board Launches Major Cleanup to Tackle Illegal Dumping in Asaba

In a move to promote a cleaner and healthier environment, the Delta State Waste Management Board, under the leadership of Chairman Mr. Mofe Edema, has launched an operation to clear illegal dump sites in Asaba and surrounding areas.

Labourers and a bulldozer have been deployed to remove waste from roadsides, while waste collection trucks are strategically positioned to evacuate the accumulated refuse.

Mr. Edema, alongside Board member Mr. Cosmas Igbenije and Director of Operations Mr. Micheal Esegba, visited several key locations, including areas opposite the Airport, Koka Junction, and St. Bridgets Road, to inspect the ongoing work. At Koka Junction, Mrs. Evelyn Orisewezie, Supervisor of the Asaba Field Office, supervised the operations.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chairman highlighted the urgent need for the clean-up, citing the increasing problem of illegal dumping in various parts of the state. He warned that such practices not only damage the Board’s reputation but also pose serious public health risks.

Mr. Edema expressed disappointment at the persistent improper disposal of waste by some residents and industrial operators. He stressed that dumping refuse in unauthorized areas threatens both human life and the environment.

He urged residents to register with Private Sector Participants (PSPs) who work in collaboration with the Board and called on the public to report any PSP operators failing in their duties.

The Chairman also highlighted the Board’s ongoing collaboration with other government ministries to maintain cleanliness in Delta State and appealed to residents to actively support these efforts. He emphasized that environmental hygiene is a shared responsibility and noted the Board’s continued community sensitization campaigns to raise awareness.

Mr. Edema commended Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for his unwavering support, stating that adequate funding is critical for effective waste management.

Finally, he warned that individuals and groups engaging in illegal dumping would face consequences, adding that the Taskforce has been empowered to arrest and prosecute offenders under existing environmental laws.

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