By Ukpong Ukpong

The poor refuse disposal by waste managers in Ikot Ekpene has triggered a barrage of passionate criticism in the council area because of adverse health implications. Mr. Effiong Akpan, a resident of Etok Akpan Street, said refuse heaps building up along the newly rehabilitated street has not only become an eye sore but it is also constituting a serious health hazard for those living around it. He said that for several weeks the local authority has shown no interest in removing the refuse heaps from the street and as such it has impeded traffic. He called on the local government authority to live up to its expectation as this falls under its purview. Also adding her voice to the appeal, Miss Glory Udom who had a shop at the spot lamented that since the people who evacuate waste refused to perform their duty she has almost lost her business. She pointed out that as a law abiding tax paying citizen she expected that after paying sanitation fees, those incharge should do something about the heaps of refuse littering the streets.
On investigation, our reporter discovered that efforts by the council authority have been unsuccessful because people dispose refuse indiscriminately. Also those paid to sweep the streets have not been provide with waste receptacles over a long period of time. Attempts to reach local health authority to comment on this development was not successful.