May 13, 2025

The Abia Government says it will commence a biogas initiative aimed at improving hygiene and environmental standards in abattoirs across the state.

Mr. Ogbonna Okereke, the General Manager, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), said this on Monday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held in Umuahia.

Okereke said the project would begin at the Lokpanta abattoir and focus on generating biogas from animal waste to process meat safely.

He said that this development would end the dangerous practice of burning meat with disused tyres, a common alternative to costly firewood in South-Eastern Nigeria.

Okereke said that meat processed with tyres poses serious health risks due to the release of toxic substances.

He described the biogas approach as a cultural shift, emphasising its benefits for public health and environmental sustainability.

Okereke said the state government had reopened the Lokpanta and Uzuakoli abattoirs after comprehensive renovations to meet hygiene and safety standards.

He said these facilities were previously closed due to unsanitary conditions but had fully retrofitted and ready for public use.

Okereke said that the move reflected the government’s commitment to health, safety and environmental reform.

He also expressed the commitment of the state government to transitioning from a linear to a circular economy by converting waste into energy and recyclable resources.

According to him, to support this transition, ASEPA had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a firm experienced in waste-to-energy technology.

He said that discussions on the waste-to-energy business had reached advanced stages, with implementation expected to begin shortly.

Okereke urged residents to improve compliance with sanitation fee payments to sustain ASEPA’s services and innovations.

He described the revised ASEPA rates as affordable and among the lowest in the South-East region.

Okereke noted that Aba had become cleaner than Umuahia despite its higher population and complexity.

He attributed Aba’s success to the strong support and cooperation of its residents in maintaining environmental cleanliness.

Okereke said that residents in Aba often assisted ASEPA by identifying and apprehending sanitation defaulters thereby showing remarkable civic engagement.

He also said that in contrast, such community-driven enforcement was still lacking in Umuahia.

Okereke assured that task forces would continue to remain active in both cities, combining enforcement with public cooperation.

He also called on all citizens to join efforts towards a cleaner, healthier Abia, noting that officials could not be everywhere.

He reiterated ASEPA’s dedication to public health, environmental innovation and effective waste management. (NAN)