By Benjamin Ogbuagu :
The Chairman, Board of the Anambra State Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA), Dr. Emma Ezenwaji has told Transition Committee Chairmen (TCC) of various Local Government Areas in the state and waste management contractors not to jettison the structure put in place by the board at the Local Government and ward levels.
The Chairman gave this admonition during an interactive session between members of ASWAMA Board, Transition Committee Chairmen and Waste Management Contractors at the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) Hall, Government House, Awka.
Dr. Ezenwaji while thanking the TC Chairmen for taking up this responsibility of waste management in the various LGAs, expressed the need for such periodic meeting, saying that it would enable them rub minds, share ideas and evaluate progress of work.
“I am aware of some of the initial teething challenges being experienced now which is expected, however, the process of waste management has been good in some LGAs, fair in others and not too good in some others,” the chairman noted.
He encouraged those in the urban and semi urban areas to unbundle the zones and dedicate adequate manpower to specific areas with high rate of refuse generation for effective and quick evacuation of wastes.
Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odimegwu drew the attention of the participants to the fact that Gov. Charles Soludo attaches much importance to waste management in the state as well as the revenue accruing from the process.
According to the commissioner, before now the Ministry of Environment handled waste management in the state directly, however, due to operational and logistic challenges, the present administration thought it wise to move this task to the local government areas for ease of operations.
He called on the TC Chairmen to collaborate with the ASWAMA contractors especially in the collection of levies and associated taxes.
Engr. Odimegwu urged them to use the month of October to experiment the process, concentrate on areas that are viable and build subsequently on the successes that would be recorded.
The Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRs), Mr. Richard Madiebo in his submission assured the Chairmen that more hands and logistics would be deployed to fast track the issuance of Anambra State Identification Number (ASIN) and subsequent distribution of demand notices to residents.
Mr. Madiebo urged the contractors to help in the distribution of demand notices as some of them are more conversant with the terrains of the state.
He regretted that the delay in the distribution of demand notices was as a result of non enumeration of most estates and areas and urged the Chairmen to assist in getting such places enrolled into government database.
The AIRs boss made it clear that no President General (PG) or youth leader was authorized to collect revenue for the government.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi in his own contribution assured the Local Government Chairmen of the readiness of the Anambra Joint Enforcement Team (ANJET) to help in the enforcement.
“The enforcement body is ready to work with you; liason officers for ANJET have also been posted to each of the local government areas; you should work closely with them to ensure total compliance by the residents”, he noted.
The Political Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu encouraged the Chairmen to be steadfast with the task.
“The State Government is committed to fulfilling its own part of the bargain, ASWAMA is also there as the supervising body to monitor as well as advise government properly on the best way to achieve results.’’
The Managing Director of ASWAMA, Sir Mike Ozoemena directed the Chairmen to get their work plans ready for submission as the governor is desirous of monitoring their activities.
“The mind of government is made up on the new waste management policy of the state, you are all expected to be extra diligent as any local government not able to deliver on the set targets will be left behind.
“It is left for you the chairmen to think inwards and initiate workable strategies for effective delivery of results,” the MD noted.
He urged them to dialogue always and work together with the contractors to build a lasting structure for the future and also be able to raise the revenue base of the state.
Reacting to the issues raised the Local Government Chairmen unanimously praised the cordial working relationship they have with their contractors, saying that they have also held strategic meetings with them on the way forward.
However, the Onitsha North Chairman Charles Ozoma complained of lack of equipment and non-availability of dump sites in the area.
Nevertheless, the Awka South Chairman, Mr. ThankGod Aniago, Dunukofia Chairman Augustine Onyemaobi as well as their Orumba South and Nnewi South counterparts, Chief Neville Uchendu and Ikenna Aniagbaoso respectively all complained that the process of generating and distribution of demand notices is confusing and arduous.
They also suggested for the introduction of bulk system of payment of the levies so as to ease the payment processes.
The contractors on their own called for the timely release of funds accruable to them for the works they are doing.
They requested for an extension of their three months contract which would enable them to cover the funds they have invested in the acquisition of compactors and other equipment.
