Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has unveiled a new fleet of modern waste management equipment, including 10 advanced refuse compactors, seven automated road sweepers and 200 large-capacity dumpsters, describing the initiative as a major step towards building a clean, competitive and climate-investment-friendly state.
The unveiling took place on Tuesday at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, where the governor said the acquisition reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability as a foundation for economic growth, public health, and urban development.
Governor Mbah, speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the investment went beyond the procurement of equipment and represented a deliberate effort to strengthen Enugu State’s environmental infrastructure.
According to him, the additional compactors would improve the speed and efficiency of waste evacuation across the state, while the automated street sweepers would help align Enugu with global standards of modern and well-planned cities.
He added that the deployment of new dumpsters would curb indiscriminate waste disposal by providing accessible collection points for residents.
The governor stressed that environmental reform remained a core pillar of his administration, noting that no city could attract investors, grow tourism, or protect public health if it was overwhelmed by waste.
“A clean city is a competitive city. A clean city is a healthy city. A clean city is a city ready for growth,” he said, explaining that ongoing reforms at the Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) were designed to support broader goals in infrastructure development, industrialization, and investment attraction.
He also urged residents to support government efforts by adopting responsible waste disposal practices, cautioning that lasting environmental progress could only be achieved through active public cooperation.
He called on citizens to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse on streets, drains, and open spaces, and to make proper use of the dumpsters provided.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu, described the unveiling as a landmark event in the state’s waste management journey.
He recalled that Enugu won a national award last year as the cleanest state capital in Nigeria, attributing the achievement to the governor’s strong commitment to environmental cleanliness and sustainability.
Prof. Ugwu highlighted key policy measures under the Mbah administration, including the enactment of the Enugu State Environmental Protection Law in 2024 and the approval of the Climate Change Policy and Action Plan.
He assured that trained operators were already in place and that the equipment would be deployed immediately to enhance operational efficiency.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of ESWAMA, Mr. Richard Onaga, commended the governor for what he described as a bold and forward-looking investment in modern waste management.
He said the new compactors, automated sweepers, and waste bins would significantly improve waste collection and street cleaning across urban and semi-urban areas, particularly amid rapid population growth.
Onaga assured residents that the equipment would be properly maintained and strategically deployed to deliver maximum value, pledging ESWAMA’s full commitment to the governor’s vision of a cleaner and greener Enugu State.
