The Abia State Government, through its waste management agency, popularly known as ASEPA, has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental cleanliness with a renewed enforcement of mandatory waste bins for all commercial vehicles operating within the state.

During a press conference at the agency’s complex in Umuahia, Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, highlighted cleanliness as a key priority of the new Abia administration. He assured that all resolutions from the meeting would be communicated directly to the Governor, reflecting the government’s commitment to policies that enhance the well-being of Abians.

According to him the initiative is part of broader efforts to sustain Abia’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s cleanest states.

He further stressed that all actions taken are geared toward the betterment of society and improved cleanliness in the state

Under the directive, every commercial vehicle including buses, tricycles (keke), and trucks must be equipped with a waste bin for passengers. Drivers are expected to properly dispose of the waste at designated parks, where larger bins will be installed to handle refuse collection.

Ogbonnia explained that small waste bins will be used in buses and tricycles while larger waste bins will be stationed at all motor parks.

“Every park must be equipped with these larger bins to ensure proper waste disposal while enforcement will be carried out in collaboration with transport unions to ensure effective compliance across the state

The ASEPA Boss clarified that the primary goal of the exercise is not to generate revenue through fines but to achieve total compliance and sustain the cleanliness already recorded in the state.

“There is zero tolerance for negligence, If a vehicle is found operating without a functional waste bin, it will be impounded and will be fined #50,000, Even if you own multiple bins but fail to place one in your vehicle, it will be treated as non-compliance.”

Operators have been given a two-week grace period to comply with the directive. The approved cost for waste bins has been set at ₦2,000 for buses and ₦1,300 for tricycles.

Present at the Press conference includes the Director General of the Abia State Orientation Agency (ABOA) Mrs Urenna Abazie and the leaders of the various transport units across the states.

All transport operators were also mandated to replace broken bins immediately and adhere strictly to the directive.

Ogbonnia concluded by emphasizing that compliance remains far more important than penalties, noting that the ultimate goal of the exercise is to preserve and improve the environmental standards Abia residents currently enjoy.

The family of Nze Samuel Nmaralam Igbokwe of Wowo Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, has formally commenced the burial preparations for their late matriarch, Dame Peace Onyekwulechi Igbokwe (née Ogu), fondly known as Peace Kwulechi, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 60.

The burial rites begin today with a Service of Songs at her Lagos residence located at 34 Road, A’Close, House 13, Gowon Estate.

According to the programme released by the family, the funeral activities will continue with a Service of Songs/Tribute Night on Friday, 9th January 2026 at the Igbokwe family residence in Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha.

The rites will progress on Saturday, 10th January 2026 with the departure of the body from the mortuary, lying-in-state at her residence, procession to church at Wesley Cathedral, funeral service, interment at the family compound, and a reception at Umuawa Central School.

A Thanksgiving Service will hold on Sunday, 11th January 2026 at Methodist Church, Umuawa Alaocha.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) appreciated friends, relatives, and well-wishers for their support as the family begins the solemn journey of laying their matriarch to rest.

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has announced that plans are on top gear to flag off the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road, which has remained in a deplorable state for years.

Governor Otti, who made the announcement on Thursday during the Monthly Media Parley tagged “Governor Otti Speaks” at the Banquet Hall, Government House Umuahia, said the flag-off of the road’s reconstruction would take place in the next few weeks.

“We are almost set to flag off the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Road. That should happen in the next few weeks,” the Governor said.

He restated his administration’s determination to tackle the problem of decayed infrastructure across the state, adding that his government will continue to flag off road construction across the state.

Governor Otti noted that his administration prioritised roads from the outset as they remain the backbone of economic activities, stressing that accessible roads are essential to restoring the state’s economy.

He assured residents that his government would not rest on its oars until critical road networks across Abia are reconstructed and made motorable.

“We are not resting on our oars on infrastructure, particularly Works. We will continue to flag off roads under the Ministry of Works, Greater Aba Development Agency, Umuahia Capital Development Authority, and then Greater Ohafia Development Authority.

“You know more than I do that the major problem that this state has faced is decayed infrastructure, particularly roads.

“And that is why we attacked it the way we did when we came in. We dealt with the first sets of roads and delivered them and we have moved to the next set. We will continue until everywhere is accessible,” Governor Otti assured.

The Governor disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be in Abia next week to commission the newly completed Port Harcourt Road in Aba, alongside several other rehabilitated roads including the Ohanku, Ndoki and the People’s Road.

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“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic will be here on Friday next week to commission Port Harcourt Road and several other roads in Aba.

“Final agreements are being made, and I’m sure people will come out in their numbers to celebrate the delivery of Port Harcourt Road and the rest of the roads, including Ohanku Road, People’s Road, and a few others that will be commissioned next week, Friday,” he added.

Governor Otti further revealed that the GADA is currently handling about ten other roads in Aba, in addition to supervising renovation projects at the Enyimba Hotel and Aba Leisure Park.

He assured that the renovation of the First Phase of the Enyimba Hotel Aba, aimed at returning the city to its lost glory, will be delivered by the end of next year.

On Agriculture, Governor Otti said that his administration has commenced a Pilot Rice Farming Scheme in Owerrinta, to secure food supply and reposition Abia as one of the largest rice producers in the country.

“It is sufficient to say that we have kicked off the pilot scheme for rice in Owerrinta. When I spoke to experts this evening, I was told that the yield per hectare, which is in the region of 5 tonnes, was quite high for a pilot scheme,” Governor Otti said.

The Governor further disclosed that his administration had introduced technology to gather data on farmers and farmlands across the state, in order to ensure targeted interventions and efficient monitoring.

According to him, 45,000 farmers across the state have been enumerated, with 58,000 hectares of arable farmland in the state indicated, adding that continuous data gathering is ongoing to ensure that government support reaches genuine farmers.

On Security, Otti commended the combined efforts of security agencies in maintaining peace across the state and urged residents to remain vigilant, share information that could help security agencies prevent crime, especially during these ember months.

He also disclosed that his administration is renovating and expanding the Aba prison, pointing out that the aim was not to accommodate more criminals but to modernise correctional facilities.