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The House of Assembly lawmakers in Imo State have expressed discomfort over the unhygienic practice of hoteliers, eateries, bars and allied food dealers who discharge liquid waste directly into drainages, without considering the health implications and challenge it poses in society and have now moved to curb it.
The Chairman of House Committee On Environment, the member representing Mbaitoli State Constituency, Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie who moved the motion, expressed sadness that despite the efforts of the State Government to keep the State clean and hygienic, and to ensure Imo citizens are healthy, majority of hotel operators, bars and allied food dealers have made it a habit to block gutters within their business locations.
He noted that these liquid wastes, which emit offensive odours have become inimical to human health.
In his words, “We are suffering from pains which we may not know how it came about. In a more organized society, hotels, eateries, and bars have clean gutters. Their wastes are discharged into soakaways which they provide within their business premises.
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“But here in Imo State, especially, the State capital, Owerri, the situation is completely different. This is unacceptable. I strongly believe that most unusual illnesses in Owerri are a result of inhaling the stench that emits from the gutters within the location of these hotels, bars, and allied food dealers.
“People are dying in numbers. Let us provide the enabling laws, regulations, and directives, to make hoteliers, etc do the right thing and save the society from a looming epidemic.”
The Motion which was seconded by Hon Bernard Ozoemelam, member representing Ehime Mbano State Constituency, was co-sponsored by Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise), Hon James Uba Esile (Onuimo), Hon Bernard Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano), Hon Dr Ikenna Ihezuo (Orlu), Hon Kelechi Ofurum (Owerri-North), Hon Chief Barrister Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala-Mbano).
However, one lawmaker, Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu, a member representing Nkwerre State Constituency, opposed the motion, on grounds that as the House Committee Chairman on Environment, Innocent Ikpamezie should use his position to practically get the Ministry of Environment to get the hoteliers to do the right thing, rather than coming on the floor of the House with a motion.
Having listened satisfactorily to the contributions of the members, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe, adopted the motion to direct all hotels, eateries, bars, and Allied food dealers to make provision for soakaway where all liquid waste would be channeled to avoid cosmic pollution.
