Worried by the health challenge posed by the discharge of liquid waste directly into the gutter, the Imo State House of Assembly has moved to reverse the trend.
Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie has expressed discomfort over the unhygienic practice of hoteliers, eateries, bars and allied food dealers who discharge liquid waste directly into gutters, without considering the health implications and challenge it poses in the society.
Hon Ikpamezie, who is also the Chairman Of House Committee On Environment, expressed sadness that despite the efforts of the State Government to keep the State clean and hygienic, and to ensure Imo citizens are healthy, majority of hotel operators, bars and allied food dealers have made it a habit to block gutters within their business locations with these liquid wastes, which emit offensive odours that have become inimical to human health.
In his words, the disturbed lawmaker said, *" We are suffering from pains which we may not know how it came about. In a more organized society, hotels, eateries, bars etc have clean gutters. Their waste are discharged into soakaways which they provided within their business premises. But here in Imo State, especially, the State capital, Owerri, the situation is completely different. This is unacceptable. I strongly believe that most unusual illnesses in Owerri are results of inhaling the stench that emits from the gutters within the location of these hotels, bars and allied food dealers. People are dying in numbers. Let us provide the enabling laws, regulations and directives, to make hoteliers etc to do the right thing and save the society of a looming epidemic. Also, the resultant osmic pollution being witnessed in and around the Hotels, Bars, Eateries etc poses threat to people living within the vicinity, including the Hoteliers themselves '.*
Furthermore, the pragmatic lawmaker said, *"Just as when you are building a house, you make provision for soakaways, to take care of your waste materials. So why can't hoteliers etc do same? Soakaways should be provided by hoteliers, allied food dealers etc, in the premises of their business activities, to take care of their liquid waste, so as to save the Imo society of the health challenges associated with inhaling the odour that emit from gutters as a result of unhealthy direct discharge into them"* . Hon Ikpamezie therefore called on his Honourable Colleagues to support him by adding their voices.
The Motion which was seconded by Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemelam, Member Representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency, was co-sponsored by Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise), Hon Chief James Uba Esile (Onuimo), Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano), Hon Dr Ikenna Ihezuo (Orlu), Hon Kelechi Ofurum (Owerri-North), Hon Chief Barrister Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala-Mbano).
The following Honourable Members spoke in favour of the Motion :
1. Hon Engr Bernard Ozoemelam, Member Representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency.
2. Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha, Member Representing Ikeduru State Constituency.
3. Rt Hon Chief Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority Leader and Member Representing Owerri-west State Constituency.
4. Rt Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency.
5. Hon Chief Barrister Sam Ikechukwu Osuji, Member Representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency.
6. Hon Kelechi Ofurum, Member Representing Owerri-North State Constituency.
7. Hon Engr Johnson Duru, Member Representing Ideato South State Constituency.
8. Hon James Uba Esile, Member Representing Onuimo State Constituency.
9. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie, Member Representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency.
10. Hon Chief Ozioma Worship Ebonine, Member Representing Njaba State Constituency.
11. Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, Member Representing Oguta State Constituency.
In their submissions, the supporting Honourable Members commended Hon Engr Ikpamezie for moving the Motion, describing the action (of Hoteliers, allied food dealers etc) of discharging waste directly into gutters as deliberate, disheartening and unhealthy. " *The pollution has become unbearable"*, they re-echoed. They equally insisted that if the Ministry Of Environment was doing its Job, the Hoteliers, Eateries, Bars and Allied Food dealers wouldn't be channeling their liquid waste into the gutters. *"Even the Hoteliers are not safe themselves. Their staff are not safe. The germs coming out of the gutters , as a result of the irresponsibility of hoteliers to do the right is frightening and alarming. This is because they want to save cost, thereby endangering the society".* They submitted that every Hotel, Bar, Eatery by and Allied food dealers should have soakaway to save the situation.
However, one lawmaker, Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, opposed the Motion, on grounds that as the House Committee Chairman On Environment, Hon Engr Innocent Ikpamezie should use his position to practically get the Ministry Of Environment to get the Hoteliers to do the right thing, rather than coming on the floor of the House with a Motion.
Having listened satisfactorily to the contributions of Honourable Members to the Motion, the Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote, and Ayes had it. Thereafter, Mr Speaker Ruled as follows :
1. " *Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Direct All Hotels, Eateries, Bars And Allied Food Dealers To Make Provision For Soakaway Where All Their Liquid Waste Will Be Channeled F Discharge, To Avoid Osmic Pollution".*
2. *"Be It Also Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge His Excellency, Most Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma To Direct Ministry Of Environment And Other Related Agencies To Ensure That All Outfits Involved In The Osmic Pollution Do Comply To The Directive Closure Of Such Facilities ".*
*Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha*
14/03/2024
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