The Managing Director of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), Chief Mike Ozoemena, has outlined the agency’s ongoing reforms aimed at improving waste evacuation and strengthening environmental cleanliness across the state.

During a media chat in Awka, Chief Ozoemena said that under the Soludo administration, ASWAMA has prioritised the clearing of long-standing refuse heaps in major urban centres, noting that locations such as the Awka roundabout previously suffered heavy waste accumulation that affected residents and road users.

He said the agency received strong backing from Governor Chukwuma Soludo, leading to the activation of a state task force that tackled the immediate challenge of waste blockages.

According to him, the intervention resulted in the gradual removal of refuse mountains that had posed environmental and health concerns for years.

Chief Ozoemena explained that ASWAMA has moved from emergency clearance to a broader restructuring of the waste management system.

He stressed that the decentralisation of responsibilities now allows local government councils to oversee waste collection within their areas, while ASWAMA focuses on coordination, policy formulation, enforcement, and dumpsite management.

The ASWAMA boss said field officers currently submit daily situation reports from all twenty-one local government areas, enabling the agency to respond quickly to emerging waste issues.

He added that the improved monitoring system has led to more consistent evacuation services, especially in densely populated locations.

Chief Ozoemena identified low public compliance with the “pay direct” funding model as a major challenge, noting that many residents still fail to pay for waste services despite rising operational costs borne by contractors.