By Ufuoma Sekegor
The Delta State Waste Management Board has extended its statewide fumigation campaign to Abraka in Ethiope East Local Government Area, as part of efforts to minimise environmental health risks and promote hygienic waste disposal practices across the state.
The exercise, supervised by the Board’s Acting Chairman, Hon. Mrs Ethe Enifome Odunwa, is aimed at eliminating disease-carrying pests and improving sanitary conditions around dumpsites.
Abraka is the latest community to benefit from the initiative, which commenced in Asaba before extending to Agbor, as the Board intensifies its drive to ensure cleaner and safer environments across Delta State.
Speaking with newsmen during the exercise, Odunwa said the fumigation was necessary to control the proliferation of disease vectors, including flies, mosquitoes and rodents, which thrive around refuse dumps and could expose nearby residents to health hazards.
She assured residents that the exercise would cover all government-approved dumpsites across the state, adding that the Board was determined to ensure that waste disposal facilities were managed in a hygienic and environmentally responsible manner.
“We are working to ensure that our dumpsites do not constitute health threats to our people. This fumigation will be sustained and done regularly,” she said.
The Acting Chairman reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to the environmental sanitation objectives of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, particularly its focus on promoting a cleaner, safer and healthier Delta State.
She called on residents of Abraka, especially students, traders and other members of the public, to embrace responsible waste disposal practices and avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Odunwa further urged residents to patronise accredited Private Sector Participants (PSPs) for proper waste evacuation, stressing that public cooperation was essential to sustaining environmental cleanliness and safeguarding community health.
