From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has increased rates and tariffs on waste management in the state.
ASEPA has equally made it an offence for anybody to dispose of refuse in open drainage or bushes in Abia.
These were disclosed by the Director General, ASEPA, Mr Ogbonnia Okereke, while briefing newsmen in Umuahia.
He said the review of the rates, which was in line with section 2 of Abia State tax codification and consolidation amendment law of 2024, came through an executive order signed by Governor Alex Otti.
“We want to acquaint Abia residents on the newly enhanced rates and tariffs for waste management. This has been in works for a long time now and we have gotten to the end of this review with the signing of an executive order by Governor Alex Otti. This gives the executive order the necessary power and backing to be implemented.”
Okereke said with the increasing high cost of their operations, the tariffs are more than considerate, adding that on its face value, it will not cover the cost of their operations as government will still have to subsidise its activities.
Giving a breakdown, Okereke revealed that residents living in a room apartment are to pay N300 monthly, self-contained N500, 2 or 3 room flat N1,000 while semi-detached duplexes are to pay N1,500 and standard duplexes N2,000.
Others include mansions N3,000, shops N500, single owner compound with two houses N4,000, while those with 3-6 houses will pay between the sum of N5,000 to N6,000 depending on the size of houses.
Shops/stalls in the market are to pay N1,000 respectively.
Hotels, departmental stores, lounges/bars, eateries, restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, schools, mechanic/auto repair workshops, banks, church offices and military/paramilitary offices also have various rates to pay.
“If you look at the rates it covers different types of houses and properties both small, medium and large sizes, we also stated clearly that properties not included here will be treated based on usage volume of human traffic and business type.”
He said the rates apply for Umuahia and Aba, while locations outside the two cities will pay half of what those in the cities will pay.
The ASEPA DG pointed out that payment should be made into the state government’s single treasury account through banks or residents’ personal devices using the appropriate revenue name, category number and revenue codes.
Meanwhile, ASEPA has said it is now an offence for anybody to dispose of refuse in open drainage or bushes.
Okereke, disclosing this, said, “Let me remind us that disposal of refuse in open drainage or bushes is an offense. Anybody seen doing that is actually a defaulter.”
He revealed that their services have been extended to the major towns and villages, adding that the agency has deployed buckets and receptacles across the state and that very soon, its staff will be going to households to collect their refuse, which will remove the reason anybody will give to dump refuse in the wrong place.