Dr. Okey Chidolue Advocates Joint Committee on Waste Management in Nnewi

Nnewi, a major business and industrial hub in Anambra state is becoming notorious for piles and mountainous heaps of rubbish, scattered at diverse points in the town, characteristic of major cities in Nigeria, especially Lagos. This growing trend has invited critical evaluation by observers, government critiques and opposition in Nnewi, whose efforts in calling the attention of the concerned government MDA remained almost totally unaddressed, while the people of Nnewi continue to live and share space with loads waste.

During the 2019 Afia Olu Nnewi festivities, former Senate hopeful and a retired Director at the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Okey Chidolue, has, while delivering his keynote closing remarks on the event, took a critical look at the future of Nnewi as an emerging urban centre with a particular focus on waste management and suggested what he called “joint committee” as panacea to the growing and disturbing piles of refuse which has become a common sight around strategic points across Nnewi.

In his remarks during the closing ceremony of this year’s Afia Olu festival, Dr. Chidolue suggested that a “joint committee of Nnewi North Local Government, Nzukora Nnewi (which is Nnewi’s town union) and Chamber of Commerce for a deep look into the local waste management challenges”…

The fact remains, most of the challenges facing communities require joint efforts by local organizations based in the community, for efficiency and sustainability purposes. However, it is not clear if Nnewi community will accept the suggestion for a joint committee or something that requires collective efforts with a view to addressing the growing challenge of waste management in Nnewi, before it becomes too outrageous and way out of proportion for due management.