EWAMAC Declares State of Emergency on AMA-Hausa Naze Market Waste Crisis

Share with friends:

The Eastern Waste Management Cooperation (EWAMAC) has declared a state of emergency on the long-standing waste disposal crisis at Ama Hausa Market, located within the Naze Industrial Cluster, following mounting concerns over public health risks and environmental degradation.

The swift intervention was announced by the agency’s Director of Operations, Nnamdi Gogo Okwuosa, during a telephone conversation with journalists who were on a fact-finding visit to the affected market. Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating sanitary conditions, Okwuosa described the situation as “unacceptable and hazardous,” assuring that immediate steps would be taken to restore cleanliness and order to the area. “I will directed that our emergency response team be mobilized without delay to commence evacuation and proper waste management at the site,” Okwuosa stated.

The Director further emphasized that the intervention aligns with the broader environmental sanitation agenda of the administration of Hope Uzodimma, noting that government remains committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all residents, irrespective of their background or occupation.

Earlier, while addressing journalists at the market, the Coordinator of Hausa Traders in Imo State, Alhaji Abubakar Abdulsalam, lamented the prolonged neglect of the waste site, revealing that it had persisted for over six years despite repeated appeals to relevant authorities. “This refuse has been here for more than six years. We have written, we have called, we have pleaded, yet nothing was done. It has become a serious health risk to traders and residents alike. We are relieved that at last, help is coming,” Abdulsalam said.

The waste accumulation, which has reportedly grown into a massive dump site, has posed grave environmental and health concerns, including the risk of disease outbreaks and obstruction of commercial activities in the bustling market.

In response to EWAMAC’s renewed commitment, members of the Hausa community expressed optimism and gratitude, describing the intervention as timely and long overdue. They also reaffirmed their support for the state government, pledging continued cooperation with authorities to ensure a cleaner and safer trading environment.

As evacuation efforts are set to commence, stakeholders have called for sustained monitoring and proactive waste management strategies to prevent a recurrence of such environmental crises in the future.