The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Aba Zone, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, sealed off a section of the Hausa community located along the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway following continued violations of established waste management regulations in the state
According to ASEPA officials, the enforcement action became necessary after repeated defaults by residents and business operators in the area, despite multiple engagements with the Hausa community leaders and notices served by the agency. The ASEPA Deputy General Manager, Elder Okezie Ezengwa, who supervised the operation, described the situation as “an unacceptable nuisance” that had persisted for too long.
“For months, ASEPA has taken deliberate steps to change the entrenched culture of indiscriminate waste disposal in this axis, We have tried dialogue. We have tried abatement notices. But the pollution and poor sanitary habits have continued. This marks the point where enforcement must speak louder.” he stated noting that the agency’s patience had been overstretched.
National Concord recalls its August 20, 2025 report in which ASEPA held a crucial meeting with the leadership of the Hausa community at the palace of His Royal Highness, Saraki Bello Shehu. The discussion, also attended by the Chairman of the Ariaria Junction Yam Market, Alhaji Motola Mohammad Magaji, was prompted by public outcry and ASEPA monitoring reports alleging sewage discharge into the road, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, open defecation, and mismanagement of a public restroom facility at the Ariaria Junction along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway.
During that meeting, Elder Ezengwa condemned the violations as threats to public health and served abatement notices, urging the Hausa community to align with Governor Alex Otti’s sanitation reforms targeted at positioning Aba as the cleanest city in Africa. In response, HRH Bello Shehu distanced himself from the infractions, pledged cooperation with ASEPA, and commended the state government’s clear commitment to environmental recovery.
The manager of the restroom facility discharging the sewage on the road, Mr. Haresu Ibrahim, apologised and promised immediate corrective measures, promises that ASEPA insists were not honored.
Officials say Tuesday’s sealing is part of a broader enforcement campaign designed to consolidate sanitation gains across the commercial city. Since his appointment, Elder Okezie Ezengwa has held consistent engagements with hoteliers, market leaders, scrap dealers, business communities, and traditional authorities to ensure full compliance with environmental rules and sustain the cleanliness improvements recorded under the current administration.
While ASEPA maintains that a cleaner Aba is a collective responsibility, the agency notes it will no longer hesitate to clamp down on chronic violators who undermine the efforts of government and law-abiding residents.
