Anambra Govt Launches Major Environmental Cleanup, Clears 14-Year-Old Toxic Waste Dumps in Obosi

By Ovat Abeng

OBOSI, ANAMBRA — What began as a distress call from residents has led to the discovery and evacuation of toxic waste that had been abandoned for 14 years in Owelle Aja, Obosi, as the Anambra State Government intensified efforts to tackle environmental hazards across the state.

The large-scale evacuation exercise, carried out between Wednesday, July 23 and Thursday, July 24, 2026, was led by the Executive Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Hon. Stanley Nkwoka, with support from security agencies, health officials, environmental workers, and hundreds of concerned residents.

Speaking to journalists during the operation, Nkwoka revealed that the toxic dumpsites were uncovered after newly relocated residents raised the alarm over the dangerous environmental condition in the area.

“This intervention reflects our commitment to making Idemili North a clean, healthy and habitable environment. It aligns with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s vision of building a clean, green, smart, digitalized, livable and prosperous Anambra by 2070,” Nkwoka said.

The council chairman disclosed that authorities had identified six major illegal dumpsites within Owelle Aja requiring urgent evacuation.

He explained that the cleanup had been delayed due to the absence of access roads, coupled with low-hanging electricity poles and overhead power lines that prevented heavy-duty trucks and equipment from reaching the affected locations.

According to him, the council collaborated with landlords in the community to create temporary access roads, paving the way for the successful evacuation.

“We will not stop until every identified dumpsite in this community has been completely cleared,” he assured.

Nkwoka also announced plans to engage landlords and tenants on sustainable waste management practices to prevent the return of illegal refuse dumps.

He urged residents to properly bag their household waste and leave it in front of their homes for collection by accredited waste management contractors operating within the council area.

Issuing a stern warning against indiscriminate waste disposal, the chairman said offenders would face strict penalties.

“Anyone caught dumping refuse illegally will either be compelled to provide two tipper trucks for waste evacuation or face legal prosecution,” he warned.

Residents welcomed the intervention, describing it as a long-awaited relief from years of environmental neglect.

A landlord, Mazi Kelechi, blamed the prolonged accumulation of refuse on disagreements among some property owners and praised the local government for taking decisive action.

Other residents, including Mr. Chijioke Nweke and Mrs. Anthonia Isidiuko, said the abandoned waste had posed serious health and environmental risks to families living in the area.

They commended the council chairman for restoring access to the street and appealed for continuous monitoring to prevent fresh illegal dumping.

The cleanup is widely seen as another step in Anambra State’s ongoing campaign to improve environmental sanitation and protect public health across its communities.