By Our Correspondent
National News – Residents of Owerri, the capital of Imo State, have raised alarm over growing heaps of refuse across the city, warning that the situation could trigger outbreaks of Lassa fever and other infectious diseases.
The waste buildup, which residents say has worsened in recent weeks following rainfall, has created unbearable stench, environmental pollution, and serious public health concerns in several communities.
The refuse piles have been reported along major locations including Douglas Road, World Bank Last Roundabout in Orji, Jehovah Jireh along Egbu Road, Umuguma Hospital Road, Amakaohia, and Irete.
In some areas, the heaps of waste have even blocked one lane of traffic, causing congestion and slowing movement within the city.
Residents blamed the situation on delays in waste evacuation by the Eastern Waste Management Company, the agency responsible for refuse collection and environmental sanitation in the state.
Although the agency recently acknowledged the problem on social media and urged residents to remain patient, it did not provide a timeline for clearing the waste.
According to the agency, its teams are working to improve the situation through ongoing waste evacuation and environmental cleanup across Owerri.
However, residents remain frustrated, with many taking to social media to complain about poor waste management and the worsening sanitation conditions in the city.
Environmental experts have also warned that the situation could escalate into a serious health and environmental crisis if urgent action is not taken.
Martins Ogunlade, Associate Director on Climate at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa, described the growing refuse heaps as a “creeping disaster.”
Ogunlade explained that uncollected waste can block drainage systems, worsen flooding during rainfall, and create breeding grounds for disease vectors such as rats, mosquitoes, and cockroaches.
He also noted that stagnant water trapped within refuse piles can increase the spread of malaria and other vector-borne diseases.
He further warned that decomposing waste releases harmful gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide, which can cause respiratory illnesses, contaminate soil and groundwater, and contribute to climate change.
Authorities have been urged to prioritise rapid waste evacuation, provide emergency funding for sanitation, and implement stronger waste management policies to prevent potential disease outbreaks in Owerri.
