The immediate past General Manager of Owerri Capital Development Authority OCDA, Tpln Iheanyi Abaekwume has lamented the dirty condition of Owerri, the Capital City of Imo state, describing it as an eyesore that ought not to be.
Abaekwueme also condemned the stifling new policy in the OCDA which has made it difficult for the Management to carry out its functions effectively.
The Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA born renowned Town Planner made these declarations while speaking to Journalists in Owerri recently.
Commending the sterling achievements of Governor Rochas Okorocha just within three years in office, he was however not happy with the sanitation sector of the administration which he said is the only sore thump denting the image of the administration.
He blamed the foul condition of Owerri environment on the ENTRACO, which he said is not functioning properly, following the take away of the waste management of Imo state from the august establishment, hence the shoddy manner waste is being managed in the state.
Abaekwume said the major function of ENTRACO as established by law, is to manage the waste in the state, but unfortunately the organization has been rendered prostrate and therefore cannot function effectively since the job of waste management has been contracted out to consultants who carry out their assignments without due process and layed down programmes with targets.
“ENTRACO law gave the establishment the power to manage waste in Imo state. But now ENTRACO has been removed from managing waste, which is the reason there is refuse everywhere in Imo state. I want the ENTRACO law to be fully enforced. The health hazard of these refuse dumps are enormous to the citizens” Abaekwume said. He maintained that while he is not against the engagement of contractors, but they must be under supervision towards a mapped out programme.
On the OCDA, he disclosed that the organization needs Government’s adequate attention, and that Government should liberate the OCDA from the aprons of Ministry and other subsidiary organizations, so that it can function effectively.
The former OCDA Boss disclosed that it was incredible that OCDA does not have any operational account where the General Manager can dip hands for money in case of emergency challenges that may crop up every day in the organization’s running.
“OCDA requires more adequate attention. Government should give more attention to OCDA. It needs adequate funding, more equipment and security to carry out its jobs and function effectively. A negation of this is to abandon the establishment” he hinted.
He maintained that Government should review the Internally Generated Revenue IGR of OCDA and give it adequate percentage of funds from what OCDA generates, as the management cannot be running to the commissioner everyday demanding money for little things like paint, chalk etc.
“It should be designed in a way that OCDA can function effectively. If contractors must be involved, they must be monitored by this Body and work according to specifications. For instance in ENTRACO, you can not talk about projects without programmes, and you cant talk about programmes without government policies. Contractors handling management of waste in Imo must work strictly according to the instruction of ENTRACO toward a targeted goal” he maintained.
