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.
