By | Ubon Marcus
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), Obong (Dr) Prince Ikim, has reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to curb indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Uyo metropolis.
Prince Ikim made this known on Saturday, February 28, 2026, while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise and coordinating waste evacuation operations across the state capital.
He noted that the increasing volume of waste generated daily due to rapid population growth has necessitated more proactive measures by the agency to maintain environmental cleanliness.
According to him, AKSEPWMA has intensified efforts to ensure the prompt evacuation of refuse from designated collection points across the metropolis.
“Given the increasing volume of waste generated daily as a result of our growing population, the agency has doubled its efforts at ensuring prompt evacuation of refuse from authorised waste collection points,” Ikim said.
He explained that beyond the routine sanitation exercise, the agency has commenced a post-sanitation cleanup operation aimed at ensuring total evacuation of refuse across the capital.
“We are currently carrying out a post-sanitation exercise which usually lasts between four and five days after the environmental sanitation exercise. This is to ensure that all refuse disposal points are completely evacuated and the state is properly cleaned,” he said.
The AKSEPWMA Chairman also disclosed that the agency has embarked on the desilting of gutters and drainage channels across Uyo metropolis as part of preparations for the rainy season.
This according to him, is a proactive measure intended to prevent flooding, improve water flow, and maintain environmental hygiene in the state capital.
He called on residents to dispose their refuse only at authorised collection points where the agency has strategically placed dumpsters, stressing that compliance is essential to maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
Furthermore, the AKSEPWMA Chairman advised residents of organised residential estates, including Shelter Afrique and Ewet Housing Estate, to engage the services of private waste collectors, noting that the agency has discontinued waste collection points within such estates.
This he explained became necessary to preserve the serenity of the estates and address security and environmental concerns.
“Waste collection points in residential estates attract scavengers who often litter the environment and pose security risks to residents. To preserve the serenity and safety of these estates, such collection points have been closed, and residents are advised to use private waste collectors,” he said.
Prince Ikim issued a strong warning against indiscriminate refuse dumping, reminding residents that existing sanitation laws prohibit such practices and provide penalties for offenders, warning that anyone found violating environmental sanitation regulations would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The AKSEPWMA Chairman expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for providing what he described as an enabling environment for the agency to function effectively and assured the State Chief Executive of the agency’s continued commitment to achieving the environmental sustainability goals outlined in the ARISE Agenda.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise, along with the ongoing post-sanitation cleanup and desilting of drainage channels, forms part of the state government’s broader efforts to promote environmental cleanliness, prevent flooding, and ensure sustainable waste management across Akwa Ibom State.
