… As Ikim Calls For Residents, Stakeholders Cooperation

As part of Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda for sustainable environmental management, the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) will deploy Ibom Community Watch officers to critical areas within the Uyo metropolis to curb indiscriminate waste dumping and other environmental violations.

Chairman of AKSEPWMA, Obong (Dr) Prince Ikim

This initiative follows recent enlightenment and sensitization campaigns and represents a coordinated effort between AKSEPWMA and Ibom Community Watch, a state security outfit supervised by the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways, alongside other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police.

Speaking to newsmen in Uyo, Chairman of AKSEPWMA, Obong (Dr) Prince Ikim, announced that the deployment, effective from November 1, 2024, will see officers strategically stationed along major routes, including Nwaniba Road, Four Lanes, Oron Road, Airport Road, Shelter Afrique, Udo Udoma, Ikot Ekpene Road, Stadium Road, IBB Road, Ikpa Road, NEPA Line, Aka Etinan, Idoro Road, Abak Road, Ring 3 Road, Uruan Street, Aka Road, Brooks Street, Atiku, and other locations within the Uyo metropolis to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

The seasoned security expert expressed the agency’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws. He reiterated that “in line with His Excellency’s ARISE Agenda of environmental sustainability, we all know that environmental issues in Akwa Ibom State have moved from being politicized to securitized.”

Ikim, hinted that upon the deployment of the 100 officers to the agency, they were thoroughly retrained according to basic intelligence requirements and for the enforcement of environmental laws, ensuring they are fit in character and equipped to do the job.

He called on residents and stakeholders to cooperate with the officers in their duties, adding that, the new development aims to protect the health and well-being of millions of inhabitants in Akwa Ibom.