Ebonyi Govt to Build Public Toilets, Cracks Down on Misuse of Bus Stops

The Ebonyi State Government has announced plans to construct public toilets across Abakaliki, warning residents against converting newly built bus stops into open defecation sites.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Victor Chukwu, expressed deep concern over reports of residents urinating and defecating at the newly installed canopy bus stops meant for public shelter.

Chief Chukwu noted that while the state government’s initiative under Governor Francis Nwifuru was designed to provide commuters with temporary refuge during adverse weather, the misuse of such facilities threatens public hygiene and undermines the project’s intent.

“The canopy bus stops are a noble intervention by the Nwifuru administration to protect citizens from sun and rain. I saw firsthand how people took shelter during a recent downpour, and it underscored the value of such infrastructure. But it is disheartening to hear they are being used for unhygienic purposes,” Chukwu lamented.

While acknowledging the necessity of public sanitation, the commissioner emphasized that it must be done in a responsible and structured manner. “It is natural and healthy for people to relieve themselves, but doing so indiscriminately in public spaces is completely unacceptable,” he said.

He assured that the Ministry of Environment is already exploring strategic locations for the establishment of public toilets throughout the city. Until then, he urged citizens to utilize private or commercial facilities available in their vicinity.

Chief Chukwu warned that anyone caught violating the sanitation regulations or defacing public infrastructure would face legal consequences. “Anyone found abusing these public assets will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he declared.

On broader environmental issues, the commissioner praised the progress in Ebonyi’s waste management system. He disclosed that the state now enjoys regular refuse collection, coordinated by 24 contractors operating across 18 main and six special waste zones. “There is a significant improvement in waste evacuation. Our trucks operate daily, and the streets are cleaner,” he said.

He further lauded the achievements of the state’s recycling program, describing it as a model for environmental sustainability and economic innovation. “We are turning waste into wealth. Our recycling plant now crushes plastics into high-grade materials for export, and we’ve begun producing nylon bags locally. We’re also exploring clean energy from organic waste, including compressed natural gas (CNG) and bio-fertilizers,” Chukwu explained.

Discussions, he added, are ongoing with both local and foreign investors to expand the recycling facility into a full-fledged industrial hub, with the potential to drive green energy production and generate significant revenue for the state.

Chief Chukwu concluded by urging residents to cooperate with government efforts to keep the city clean and protect public infrastructure. “The environment is a collective responsibility. Citizens must act responsibly for the sake of public health and urban development,” he said.