ANSELEM ANOKWUTE
Imo State House of Assembly sad with the high level of environmental pollutions orchestrated by the emissions of liquid waste products directly in the gutters without a duely considerations for its debilitating effects on the health of the citizens.
In a Motion by the Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie who described the discomforting situation on the unhygienic, provocative practice of hoteliers, eateries, bars and allied food Vendors often discharges their liquid waste products directly into open Drainage Gutters, without considering the health implications and challenges it will imposed in the society.
The Chairman Of House Committee On Environment, Hon. Ikpamezie expressed sadness that despite the efforts of the State Government to keep the State clean and hygienic, and to ensure Imo citizens are healthy, majority of hotel operators, bars and allied food dealers have made it a habit to block gutters within their business locations with these liquid wastes, which emit offensive odours that have become inimical to human health.
In his words, ” We are suffering from pains which we may not know how it came about. In a more organized society, hotels, eateries, bars etc have clean gutters. “Their waste products should have been discharged into the soakaways safety pits which they ought to be provided within their business premises. But here in Imo State, especially, the State capital, Owerri, the situation is completely different. This is unacceptable”.
“I strongly believe that most unusual illnesses in Owerri are results of inhaling the stench that emits from the gutters within the location of these hotels, bars and allied food dealers. People are dying in numbers. Let us provide the enabling laws, to regulate and direct it accordingly in order to make hoteliers etc to do the right thing and save the society of a looming epidemic.
“Also, the resultant osmic pollution being witnessed in and around the Hotels, Bars, Eateries etc poses threat to people living within the vicinity, including the Hoteliers themselves “. Engr Ikpamezie said.
Continued, the pragmatic Law-maker said, “Just as when you are building a house, you make provision for soakaways, to take care of your waste materials. So why can’t hoteliers etc do same? Soakaways should be provided by hoteliers, allied food dealers etc, in the premises of their business activities, to take care of their liquid waste, so as to save the Imo society of the health challenges associated with inhaling the odour that emit from the drainage gutters as a result of unhealthy direct discharge into them” .
Hon Ikpamezie therefore used the medium to called on his fellow Honourable Colleagues to support him by adding their voices.
The Motion which was seconded by Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemelam, Member Representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency, was co-sponsored by Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Hon Chief James Uba Esile Onuimo, Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemelam Ehime Mbano, Hon Dr Ikenna Ihezuo Orlu, Hon Kelechi Ofurum Owerri-North, Hon Chief Barrister Sam Ikechukwu Osuji Isiala-Mbano.
Speaking in favour of the Motion,
Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemelam, Member Representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency, Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha, Member Representing Ikeduru State Constituency, Rt Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority Leader and Member Representing Owerri-west State Constituency.
Others are,Rt Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency, Hon Chief Barrister Sam Ikechukwu Osuji, Member Representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, Hon Kelechi Ofurum, Member Representing Owerri-North State Constituency, Hon Engr Johnson Duru, Member Representing Ideato South State Constituency, Hon James Uba Esile, Member Representing Onuimo State Constituency, Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie, Member Representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency, Hon Chief Ozioma Worship Ebonine, Member Representing Njaba State Constituency and Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, Member Representing Oguta State Constituency.
In their separate submissions in support of the motion. The Honourable Members commended, Hon Engr Ikpamezie for moving the Motion, describing the action (of Hoteliers, allied food dealers etc) of discharging waste directly into the Drainage gutters as deliberate, disheartening and unhealthy. ” The pollution has become unbearable”. They re-echoed.
Blaming the Ministry Of Environment for lack of duties and irresponsible in doing its Job, the Hoteliers, Eateries, Bars and Allied Food dealers wouldn’t be channeling their liquid waste into the gutters. *”Even the Hoteliers are not safe themselves. Their staff are not safe. The germs coming out of the gutters , as a result of the irresponsibility of hoteliers to do the right is frightening and alarming. This is because they want to save cost, thereby endangering the society”. They submitted that every Hotel, Bar, Eatery by and Allied food dealers should have soakaway to save the situation.
Meanwhile, one of the Law-makers, Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, opposed the Motion, on grounds that as the House Committee Chairman On Environment, Hon Engr Innocent Ikpamezie would have use his position to practically called the Ministry Of Environment order by getting the Hoteliers to do the right thing, rather than coming on the floor of the House with a Motion.
Having listened satisfactorily to the contributions of Honourable Members to the Motion, the Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote, and Ayes had it. Thereafter, Mr Speaker Ruled as follows,
“Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Direct All Hotels, Eateries, Bars And Allied Food Dealers To Make Provision For Soakaway Where All Their Liquid Waste Will Be Channeled For proper Discharge, To Avoid Osmic Pollution”, I”Be It Also Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency, Most Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma To Direct Ministry Of Environment And Other Related Agencies To Ensure That All Outfits Involved In The Osmic Pollution Do Comply To The Directive Closure Of Such Facilities.
With the Motion in place Imo State Environment will be assured of non emissions of dirty, polluted and waste products from the hotels, Eateries, Bars, Food Vendors and many others into the Drainage Gutters.