Emmanuel lkpeama.
Worried by the health challenge posed by the discharge of liquid waste directly into the gutter, the Imo State House of Assembly has moved to reverse the trend.
Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie has expressed discomfort over the unhygienic practice of hoteliers, eateries, bars and allied food dealers who discharge liquid waste directly into gutters, without considering the health implications and challenge it poses in the society.
Hon Ikpamezie, who is also the Chairman Of House Committee On Environment, expressed sadness that despite the efforts of the State Government to keep the State clean and hygienic, and to ensure Imo citizens are healthy,as majority of the 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.
According to him, the lawmaker said, “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 are discharged into soakaways which they 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 and people are dying in numbers. ” he submitted.
The pragmatic Lawmaker went further to say that soakaways should be provided by hoteliers, allied food dealers in the premises of their business activities,so as to take care of their liquid waste, and save the Imo society of the health challenges associated with inhaling the odour that emit from gutters as a result of unhealthy direct discharge into them.
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).
In their submissions, the supporting Honourable Members commended Hon Engr Ikpamezie for moving the Motion, describing the action of the hoteliers, allied food dealers of discharging waste directly into gutters as deliberate, disheartening and unhealthy.. They equally insisted that if the Ministry Of Environment was 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 including their staff .
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They went further to state that germs are coming out of the gutters , as a result of the irresponsibility of hoteliers to do the right ,this is because they want to save cost, thereby endangering the society.