Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development, FENRAD, an environmental and pro-democracy rights advocacy group has decried the state of environmental decline and degradation in Abia, especially in Aba, which is deteriorating under the watch of Chief Roland Nwakamma, Deputy Director, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, Aba Zone and called for an urgent recovery of the Eyimba city.
FENRAD, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor and made available to Metronetworknews said it was very concerned that the environmental regime under Roland Nwakamma has recently gotten only worse whether in rainy or dry season.
According to FENRAD, a recent citywide assessment made in Aba by the group, shows that many major roads in the area now host refuse and have become dumping sites.
The rights group condemned this given that infectious diseases spread quickly even as pathogens and microbes thrive in an unhygienic environment especially in this era of pandemic and other epidemics like cholera.
FENRAD also called on the Ministry of Environment to, as a matter of urgency, up its game in ensuring that environmental inspection, tips and awareness are carried out in Aba and its environs to remedy the situation and also serve as a robust environmental action.
Furthermore, it urged the deputy director of ASEPA, to take action towards mitigating environmental abuse and disaster in the city of Aba.
” It is pertinent to note that while it could be said that Aba residents need a reorientation that provides the right presence of mind and attitudinal change towards the environment, such is not happening in the city nor in the state where the governor, Okezie Ikpeazu rode to office on the basis of his outstanding achievements as head of environmental protection agency”, it noted.
