LEGISLATURE

AKHA COMMITTEE PLEDGES TO REVISE OUTDATED ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, URGES AKSEPWMA TO PRIORITIZE WORKER SAFETY 


By Julius Nsikak, Uyo

Members of AKHA committee on Environment posing with visiting agency, AKSEPWMA 


The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, chaired by Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, has committed to updating the state's antiquated environmental laws to better serve the needs of its residents. 


This commitment was made during a meeting with the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday, February 17, 2025.  


The gathering aimed to promote effective waste management, control, and environmental sustainability. 


The committee's assurance came in response to two motions: "Urgent Need to Equip Environmental Workers with Protective Equipment (PPE)" sponsored by Hon. Selinah Ukpatu, and "Urgent Need to Address Unregulated Refuse Dump Scavenging in Uyo Metropolis" sponsored by Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob. 


The committee chairman emphasised the need to address the harmful activities of refuse dump scavengers, which have led to waste scattering, drainage blockages, and exposure to hazardous substances and diseases.  


At the committee level, AKSEPWMA was tasked to designate waste disposal points, conduct public enlightenment campaigns, and enforce sanitation laws.  Additionally, the committee highlighted the challenges faced by street sweepers, particularly in low-light conditions, and stressed the need for AKSEPWMA to provide adequate PPE and implement enhanced safety measures, such as improved road lighting, reflection signage, and designated working areas for street sweepers. 


Responding to the committee chairman's remark, Chairman of AKSEPWMA, Obong (Dr.) Prince Ikim, expressed delight for playing guest to the State House of Assembly Committee on Environment.  


Stating displeasure on how Akwa Ibom State Environmental Laws are obsolete, Ikim put it clear that its agency has faced several challenges in enforcing environmental laws because it is outdated and not in tandem with the present time-evolution. 


He appealed to the house through the committee, to see how these environmental laws can be made up to date to facilitate timely enforcement, while assuring to prioritize worker safety.  


Hon. (Engineer) Friday Udobia (Esit-Eket/Ibeno), Hon Selinah Ukpatu  (Ikot Abasi/Eastern Ibolo), Hon. (Prince) Aniefiok Attah (Nsit Atai), Hon. Jerry Otu (Ikot Ekpene/Obot the Akara) Hon. Moses Essien ( Ibiono Ibom) and other members of the environment committee, respectively restated the importance of the meeting, while telling the Agency to ensure that the lives of its environmental workers are not put at risk, but rather in safe and improved welfare. 


They encouraged contractors under the agency to provide adequate PPE, like facemask, respirator, reflector, safety shoes, among other things, to keep the workers alive and safe, while discharging their duties. The Agency is also tasked to ensure adequate PPE's are provided to workers at all time.  


It was thereafter resolved that the State House of Assembly Committee on Environment and AKSEPWMA shall come together to update the obsoleted environmental laws of Akwa Ibom State as soon as possible.


The meeting was attended by members of the Environment committee, Board members and Managing staff of AKSEPWMA, Committee Clerk, Dr. Victoria Udofia, Parliamentary Staff, Security Operatives and many others.

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