Owerri Residents Raise Alarm Over Uncollected Refuse Days After Sanitation Exercise

Residents and business owners in Owerri, Imo State, have raised concerns over heaps of refuse left on major streets and junctions more than nine days after the state’s latest general sanitation exercise.

Several parts of the state capital remain littered with uncollected waste, with Tetlow Road reportedly among the worst-affected areas.

Large heaps of refuse have also been reported around School Road, Christ Church, Lagos Street and adjoining areas, creating concerns among residents, traders and other road users.

At the School Road axis around Njiribako Street, residents and passersby have expressed frustration over the continued presence of waste dumps. Some residents have also taken their complaints to social media, urging relevant government agencies to evacuate the accumulated refuse.

Residents say the prolonged presence of the waste is creating an unpleasant environment and raising concerns about possible health risks, particularly as some of the refuse has reportedly remained in the open for days.

Business owners in affected areas have also complained about the impact on their operations. Some said customers are reluctant to spend time around locations where large quantities of waste have accumulated.

Passersby have reportedly been seen covering their noses while moving through some of the affected streets as the smell from decomposing waste adds to the discomfort.

The situation has renewed calls for a more consistent waste management system in Owerri. Residents argue that periodic sanitation exercises may have limited impact if waste generated afterward is not promptly collected and properly disposed of.

They are now calling for the immediate evacuation of the accumulated refuse and a long-term approach to waste collection and disposal to prevent similar situations from recurring across the city.