ANAMBRA ASSEMBLY MOVES TO AMEND SANITATION LAW
REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The Anambra State House of Assembly has begun the process of amending the State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) Law 2015.
The Speaker, Mr. Uche Okafor, made this known during the plenary session, which had the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr. Mike Ozoemena, present as requested by the law makers.
According to the Speaker, the lawmakers had a long protracted chat with the invited guest, who took time to give a rundown of activities of the agency since its inauguration by the Soludo-led administration.
Mr. Okafor noted that after members took their turns to seek clarifications, the legislators realized that there seemed to be some ambiguities in the ASWAMA Law of 2015 and consequently decided to amend it.
He explained that such move would enable all concerned to have a clear-cut understanding of their responsibilities.
The Speaker noted that the motion for the amendment was already on notice before the House.
In an interview, the Managing Director, ASWAMA, Mr. Ozoemena, thanked the lawmakers for their understanding during the interaction, which led to the resolve to amend the law in the interest of all.
Mr. Ozoemena explained that when the law was made in 2015, a kilogram of gas was about #85 compared to the present situation where it cost about #800, a situation he said had affected everyone.
The ASWAMA boss however appealed to the residents of the state to be patient with it and pay their taxes as well as levies, which would enable the Soludo-led administration deliver on the promise of a Smart Liveable city that will benefit everyone.
The Anambra State House of Assembly had on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 passed a resolution for the immediate stoppage of the new levy introduced by ASWAMA, which, according to the lawmakers, ran contrary to the existing law.
The lawmakers also expressed fears that the upward review of the sanitation levies would worsen the already suffocating economic realities and their impacts on the citizens.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
