Abia State - The Broken Giant

“Human rights cannot be secured in a degraded or polluted environment. The fundamental right to life is threatened by soil degradation and deforestation and by exposures to toxic chemicals, hazardous wastes and contaminated drinking water…” Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme at the 57th Session of the Commission on Human Rights in 2001

We need not be told that as human beings we depend on our environment for survival. As such, our environmental condition determines how long we will live to enjoy our basic rights as humans. 

Refuse disposal is a major challenge being faced by Nigeria. Ineffective waste management measures, improper waste disposal such as indiscriminate dumping of household and industrial waste and non- recycling of recyclable objects do not only pose an enormous threat to our environment but exposes us to health hazards which shortens the life of citizens of this nation. 

These refuse dumps gracing our streets and city centers cause traffic congestion, unpleasant ambience and blockage of drainage. Over time they generate Methane gas, which is the second most important greenhouse gas. The option of Incinerating waste is also not the way out because when plastics are burnt, they tend to produce toxic substances, such as dioxins which cause air pollution and contribute to acid rain which are harmful to health. 

In this Article, Omai Kelechi Elekwa, a Human Right Activist, while calling on the government of Abia State to rise up to their responsibilities and work towards securing the fundamental human rights of Abians, shares pictures of refuse dump sites on the streets of Aba and Umuahia the Capital of Abia State

These images represent the current state of the capital city a few meters from the government house and Aba, the biggest commercial and highest revenue generating city in Abia State

In his words, Abians are demanding for a decent, safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment and in the forthcoming elections, will not return any government that has failed to carry out their duties thereby making it impossible for the people to enjoy a wide range of human rights, including but not limited to the right to life which is guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of our country (as amended), the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Abians and Nigerians are therefore calling on government at all levels to ensure that environmental sustainable development practices and policies are not only entrenched in our laws, but are enforced to the letter.