By Favour Ogwu
ASABA/Nigeria: In the midst of the upscale hotels and eateries that dot various parts of Asaba, a distinct and disconcerting odour pervades the air. This olfactory nuisance, emanating from decaying foods in adjacent drains built to manage the city’s excess waters, has become a cause for concern among both residents and workers in the area.
As one navigates through DBS Road, the vicinity of ShopRite, and Summit Road, it becomes apparent that these areas are not immune to the offensive smells. Workers and residents alike have voiced their grievances, pointing fingers at the inadequate waste disposal practices of numerous hotels and eateries, which they argue are tarnishing the local environment.
A worker at the Spring Hill Hotel and Suites on 24 DBS Road, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed in a one-on-one conversation that the hotel’s environment reeks due to dirty water from the kitchen not being properly channeled, leading to the back area being littered with unseemly water and resulting in an unpleasant smell.
Similarly, Mr. Benjamin Scott, a resident in close proximity to the Spring Hill Hotel, lamented that the persistent smells are a consequence of improper waste disposal by the establishment. He noted that the wastes are left unattended for extended periods, creating an unhygienic and malodorous atmosphere that poses health risks to the surrounding community.
Complaints about unsavory smells are not confined to the vicinity of Spring Hill Hotel alone. People residing near ShopRite also report a similar issue. Mrs. Sandra Okojie, an employee in the ShopRite area, attributes the unpleasant odours to the gutters surrounding the establishment. According to her, wastes from eateries within ShopRite are channeled into these gutters, emitting foul smells. Mrs. Okojie further notes that the situation is exacerbated by beggars who often deposit additional waste in these gutters, contributing to pollution.
Mrs. Okojie advocates for immediate attention from both ShopRite management and government authorities. She emphasizes the need for strict regulations to enforce proper waste disposal practices, urging the Delta State Waste Management Board to promptly address the issue and maintain the cleanliness and healthiness of the environment.
The New Orleans Reloaded Hotel and Suites, located on Summit Gaga’s Road, is also implicated in the unpleasant odour predicament. A shop owner near the hotel cites the improper disposal of waste as the primary source of the offensive smells. She describes a situation where the hotel fails to dispose of trash appropriately, leaving it outside for extended periods, thereby creating an environment that is both odorous and unhygienic.
Residents in these affected areas are calling on the government to implement stringent rules governing waste management practices. They contend that strict sanctions should be imposed on hotels and eateries that neglect proper waste disposal.
Additionally, they urge the Delta State Waste Management Board to enhance its efforts in promptly clearing trash from the streets and hotels to uphold the cleanliness of Asaba.
This investigation however calls to question the duty of the Asaba Capital Territory Agency, headed by the immediate Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Patrick Ukah, who at assumption of office had appealed to residents of Asaba to join hand in keeping the city clean. residents
