By Onyinyechi Obi
Not too long ago, waste in Abia State was seen only as a problem, something to hide, burn, or dump. But under the bold leadership of Governor Alex Otti, that mindset is changing fast. Almost immediately after taking office, he declared a State of Emergency on Environmental Sanitation, launching a sweeping cleanup that has now grown into something even bigger: a “Waste-to-Wealth” Initiative that turns trash into opportunity.
At the heart of this transformation is the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), led by the energetic and results-driven Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke. Under his watch, ASEPA has moved beyond just collecting garbage it’s now helping people see waste as a resource and cleanliness as a shared responsibility.
A key part of this shift is the return of house-to-house environmental inspections across all 17 local government areas. As part of the “Keep Abia State Clean” campaign, ASEPA officers visit homes and businesses to check if surroundings are clean and waste is properly managed. The goal is simple: protect public health and encourage responsibility. Those who refuse to keep their premises clean face legal action because in the new Abia, cleanliness is everyone’s duty.
Industries are not left out either. In a proactive move, ASEPA has already begun its 2025 Industrial Inspection Visits earlier than in past years to ensure factories and businesses follow environmental rules on waste disposal, emissions, and effluent treatment. This helps keep Abia’s air and water clean and ensures that companies operate as responsible corporate citizens.
But what truly sets this administration apart is its focus on turning waste into value. In Aba and Umuahia, recycling hubs are already up and running thanks to partnerships with the Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) and support from Coca-Cola and the Ford Foundation. These centers collect plastic waste and turn it into raw materials for new products, creating jobs and reducing pollution at the same time.
And the plan is growing. A new recycling hub is coming to the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture in Umudike, and ASEPA is working closely with local waste collectors known as aggregators to organize and support their work. Even companies like GZ Industries are stepping in to provide uniforms and tools for sanitation workers, showing how public and private efforts can work hand in hand.
To make all this sustainable, the state has introduced fair sanitation fees for households and businesses, with easy payment options through banks and the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue. At the same time, ASEPA is rolling out a smarter waste collection system that picks up trash right from your doorstep making it easier for everyone to stay clean.
Today in Abia, every plastic bottle, every scrap of paper, and every cleaned compound isn’t just part of a cleanup it’s a step toward wealth, health, and pride.
All of these efforts show that Governor Otti’s vision is not just about sweeping streets it’s about building a new culture of cleanliness, accountability, and innovation. Abia is proving that change is possible when leadership meets action. The state is building a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous future where waste is no longer wasted.
