The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) on Tuesday held an interactive session with transport union leaders and other stakeholders across the state, ahead of plans to enforce the compulsory use of waste bins in all commercial vehicles.

The Director General of ASEPA, Mazi Ogbonnia Okereke, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to environmental cleanliness through renewed enforcement of the policy mandating waste bins in commercial vehicles operating within the state.

He noted that cleanliness remains a key priority of Governor Alex Otti’s administration, assuring participants that resolutions reached at the meeting would be communicated directly to the governor, reflecting the government’s commitment to policies that enhance the wellbeing of residents.

According to Okereke, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to sustain Abia’s growing reputation as one of Nigeria’s cleanest states. He stressed that all measures being introduced are aimed at improving sanitation and promoting a healthier environment.

Under the new directive, every commercial vehicle, including buses, tricycles and trucks, will be required to be fitted with a waste bin. Drivers are expected to dispose of waste properly at designated motor parks, where larger bins will be installed to support effective refuse collection.

Okereke explained that smaller bins would be used inside buses and tricycles, while larger bins would be stationed at motor parks. Enforcement of the policy would be carried out in collaboration with transport unions to ensure smooth compliance across the state.

“The primary goal of this exercise is not to generate revenue through fines but to achieve full compliance and sustain the level of cleanliness already recorded,” Okereke said.

He warned that there would be zero tolerance for non-compliance, stating that any vehicle found operating without a functional waste bin would be impounded and fined 50,000 naira.

Operators have been given a two-week grace period to comply with the directive. The approved cost of the waste bins has been fixed at 2,000 naira for buses and 1,300 naira for tricycles.

The enforcement is expected to commence after the grace period.