Abia Govt Orders Crackdown on Tyre-burning, Illegal Sand Mining as EHOs Record 22,143 Compliances

ABA, Abia State – The Abia State Government has directed Environmental Health Officers across the state to intensify sanitation enforcement, environmental monitoring and public health protection, with immediate focus on abattoirs and illegal sand mining sites.

The directive was given on Thursday by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, during a meeting with Environmental Health Officers of the Aba Zone at Girls Secondary School, Abayi, Aba.

The meeting was convened to review activities of the officers, popularly known as _Ndi Ole-Ala_, since the restoration of house-to-house environmental health services on June 26, 2025.

Ogbonna directed officers to urgently inspect abattoirs across the state and ensure butchers stop using vehicle tyres to roast animal skin, popularly known as ‘kanda’.

“Burning animal skin with tyres poses serious public health risks,” he warned. “We must ensure strict enforcement of environmental and health standards at our abattoirs.”

He also ordered the enforcement of government’s directive for sand miners and dredgers operating at Umuigwe and Uratta communities in Osisioma LGA to vacate the areas, noting that the Aba Master Plan does not permit such activities there.

Ogbonna commended the officers for their efforts and assured them of the Governor Alex Otti administration’s continued support through regular payment of monthly imprest to aid service delivery.

He urged them to intensify public sensitisation on proper sanitation and educate residents on maintaining clean and healthy surroundings.

He appealed to residents across Abia State to cooperate with Environmental Health Officers and desist from activities that undermine the house-to-house services.

Earlier, the State President of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, EHOAN, Dr. Obieze Odimuko, and State Treasurer, Mrs. Onyinyechi Nwigwe, presented a performance report.

They disclosed that since the restoration of services, officers have visited 1,382 villages and 79,955 premises, served 50,236 abatement notices, recorded 22,143 cases of compliance as well as prosecuted 2,559 defaulters.

The officials said collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies had boosted enforcement across the state.