Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has unveiled new environmental sanitation and sustainability assets, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to making the state a clean, healthy and competitive hub for growth.
The equipment unveiled includes 10 new waste compactors, seven automated street sweepers and 200 modern dumpsters.
The unveiling took place on Tuesday at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu, where Mbah reiterated his determination to sustain Enugu’s emergence as Nigeria’s model green state by 2025.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the occasion as more than an equipment unveiling, but a clear demonstration of the administration’s resolve to build the Enugu State of the future.
“With the introduction of this modern equipment, we are strengthening the backbone of our environmental infrastructure and advancing a vision that places cleanliness, order and sustainability at the heart of our development agenda,” he said.
Mbah said maintaining a clean and safe environment was central to his administration’s plan to grow the state’s economy from the $4.4 billion inherited in 2023 to $30 billion by 2031.
“From the very beginning of this administration, we made a promise to create a cleaner, safer and more prosperous Enugu. A city cannot grow if it is overwhelmed by waste.
“Investors will not come, tourism cannot thrive, and the health of our people cannot be guaranteed. That is why environmental reform is a core pillar of our governance strategy to grow the economy,” he said.
The governor explained that the newly unveiled equipment represented a significant step forward in modernizing waste management in the state.
“The compactors will ensure faster and more efficient evacuation of waste across our urban centres. The automated street sweepers will bring our streets closer to the standards of modern, well-planned cities around the world.
“The 3,000-litre dumpsters will help eliminate indiscriminate dumping and reduce pressure on existing waste collection points.
“Beyond the equipment, we are building a system that supports the growth we envision for Enugu,” he added.
Mbah urged residents to support the government’s efforts by adopting responsible waste disposal practices, noting that his administration was undertaking extensive reforms of the Enugu State Waste Management Agency (ESWAMA) to strengthen its operational capacity and improve service delivery.
“We are also investing in public awareness, because no matter how much equipment we deploy, progress will only be sustained when our people embrace environmental discipline,” he said.
He commended the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and ESWAMA for their commitment to the reforms and transformation in the sector.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu, praised the governor for his dedication to environmental sustainability.
Ugwu said that in 2024, the governor signed the Enugu State Environmental Protection Law and approved the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, measures which have strengthened the ministry’s operations.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of ESWAMA, Mr Richard Onaga, assured that the agency would maximize the use of the new assets, noting that the intervention came at a critical time when population growth and urban expansion required innovative and robust waste management solutions.
“These assets will significantly enhance our operational capacity, improve efficiency in waste collection and ensure cleaner streets across urban and semi-urban areas of the state,” Onaga said.
