Smoke from Owaelu dumpsite in the night.
Owaelu residents seek Imo govt’s assistance to end environmental pollution
By Valentine Amanze
Residents of Owaelu community in Uratta, Owerri North council of Imo State risk cancer and other non-communicable diseases if the government does not stop the burning of plastics, nylon and other waste materials at a dumpsite in the community.
Daily, the residents inhale the dangerous smoke capable of causing cancer and other diseases
from the dumpsite opposite the only petrol filling station in the area.
The smoke is the result of burning the dumpsite by scavengers of used metal/alluminium materials.
The burning of the materials releases microplastics into the air, which are injurious to health, when inhaled.
Lagos-based medical expert, Dr Ben Okoro, told Nigeria News Flight that burning of nylon and plastic was injurious to health and the environment.
In fact, Okoro said that burning such materials into the air causes cancer, eye irritation, and other non-communical deaseases, stressing that it also causes soil infertility.
Some of the residents, who spoke to the Nigeria News Flight confirmed environmental pollution in Owaelu.
The Owuelu dumpsite opposite filling station taken over by smoke.
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They decried the effect of the smoke from the dumpsite on their environment.
An octogenarian and resident of Owuelu, Elder Paul Okere, said that the smoke from the dumpsite does not allow them to sleep at night.
He accused the scavengers of making brisk business at the detriment of the residents’ health, while appealing to the state and the local government to come to their aid.
He accused the community leadership of not showing interest on their plight, alleging that many of them benefit financially from the business of the dumbsite.
A source, who pleaded anornimity, said that some community leaders tax the scavengers to allow them continue their health-threatening business.
Also, majority of the people spoken to appealed to the government and the community leadership to stop the burning of the dumpsite and maintain sanity in the area.
Nigeria News Flight however gathered that the dumpsite became operational, when the ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim-led administration in 2007 constructed the road, which links Umuahia-Mbaise road from Orji junction, Uratta, in Owerri North Council.
Meanwhile, many residential houses have continued to emerge in Owuelu despite the health-threatening challenge of the dumpsite.
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