Worried by the indiscriminate dumping of refuse and other environmental violations in Akwa Ibom State, especially in Uyo metropolis, the State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA), has said it would deploy Ibom Community Watch officers to critical areas for environmental regulations.
Chairman of AKSEPWMA, Prince Ikim, who disclosed this to newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, said the exercise would kick off on November 1, 2024, adding that it aimed to protect the health and well-being of the people.
He said the officers would be empowered to enforce the environmental laws, urging residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with them.
Ikim explained that the men of Ibom Watch, the state government-owned security outfit, would be strategically stationed along major routes, including Nwaniba Road, Four Lanes, Oron Road, Airport Road, Shelter Afrique, Udo Udoma, and Ikot Ekpene Road.
Others include Stadium Road, IBB Road, Ikpa Road, NEPA Line, Aka Etinan, Idoro Road, Abak Road, Ring Road 3, Uruan Street, Aka Road, Brooks Street, Atiku, and other locations within the Uyo metropolis to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
His words: “As part of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda for sustainable environmental management, the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) will deploy Ibom Community Watch officers to critical areas within the Uyo metropolis to curb indiscriminate waste dumping and other environmental violations.
“This initiative follows recent enlightenment and sensitization campaigns and represents a coordinated effort between AKSEPWMA and Ibom Community Watch, a state security outfit supervised by the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, alongside other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police.”
The AKSEPWMA boss hinted that upon the deployment of the 100 officers to the agency, they were thoroughly retrained according to basic intelligence requirements and for the enforcement of environmental laws without any form of misbehavior.
Environmental violations: Akwa Ibom agency to mount surveillance on strategic places in Uyo
