By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, November 26, 2024.

In recent times, concerns have been raised regarding the operations of Eastern Waste Management Company Limited (EWAMAC) and its partnership with the Imo State Government. While some narratives have been misleading, here are the verified facts about EWAMAC and its waste management and recycling project in Imo State:

1. The Recycling Plant Is Under Construction and Near Completion

EWAMAC is actively constructing a state-of-the-art recycling plant at Agbala. The plant’s infrastructure is at an advanced stage, signaling the company’s commitment to turning waste into valuable products. This facility will include:

An incinerating plant capable of generating electricity through an inbuilt turbine.

A waste sorting plant for separating recyclables like plastics, metals, and paper.

A composting plant for processing organic waste into fertilizers.

Plastic and metal recycling units.

2. Modern Waste Management Equipment Procured

EWAMAC has invested significantly in modern waste recycling machinery, which will be deployed immediately upon the plant’s completion. This includes specialized equipment to handle waste sorting, incineration, and recycling, ensuring Imo State embraces global best practices in waste management.

3. Privately Run Under a PPP Model

EWAMAC operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, meaning it is no longer funded by the Imo State Government. Similar to private companies like MTN or Glo, EWAMAC’s operations are based on a service-fee-driven model. This ensures sustainability without placing additional financial burdens on the state’s coffers.

4. Fair Billing Structure Based on Waste Generation

Contrary to claims of exorbitant charges, EWAMAC’s billing system is proportional to the volume of waste generated by each entity. For instance:

Businesses generating higher waste levels are charged accordingly.

Monthly reminders are sent to clients for four months before any enforcement action is taken.

Businesses are only sealed as a last resort when they refuse to pay for services rendered over an extended period.

5. Significant Economic and Environmental Benefits

Once operational, the Agbala recycling plant will:

Reduce environmental hazards by efficiently managing waste across the state.

Create job opportunities for residents in waste management and recycling sectors.

Provide electricity to neighboring communities through its incineration plant.

Promote sustainable practices by converting waste into reusable resources like compost and recyclable materials.

Addressing Misinformation:

It is essential to separate facts from sensationalized narratives. While challenges in any large-scale project are inevitable, EWAMAC remains committed to delivering world-class waste management solutions. Claims of extortion and non-performance are baseless when viewed against the ongoing construction progress and the tangible benefits the partnership promises for Imo State.

The Ministry of Environment, which has oversight functions regarding EWAMAC, has confirmed that it is effectively carrying out its duties in line with the relevant laws of the land. The Commissioner for Environment has reassured the public of the ministry’s dedication to ensuring EWAMAC adheres strictly to its responsibilities and delivers on its promises to the people of Imo State.

By Maayan Lubell, Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam

JERUSALEM/BEIRUT (Reuters) – Israel looks set to approve a U.S. plan for a ceasefire with Lebanon’s Hezbollah on Tuesday, a senior Israeli official said, clearing the way for an end to the conflict that has killed thousands of people since it was ignited by the Gaza war 14 months ago.

A dead bird lies at a damaged site, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
© Thomson Reuters

That optimism was shared by Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib who expressed hope at a foreign policy conference in Italy that a ceasefire would be reached by Tuesday night.

Israel’s security cabinet is expected to convene later on Tuesday to discuss and likely approve the text at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official said.

This would pave the way for a ceasefire declaration by U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, four senior Lebanese sources told Reuters on Monday.

A woman walks past damaged buildings, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
© Thomson Reuters

In Washington, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Monday, “We’re close” but “nothing is done until everything is done”. The French presidency said discussions on a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah had made significant progress.

Civil defence members clear a road at a damaged site, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
© Thomson Reuters

The agreement requires Israeli troops to withdraw from south Lebanon and Lebanon’s army to deploy in the region – a Hezbollah stronghold – within 60 days, officials say. Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani River.

Israel demands effective U.N. enforcement of an eventual ceasefire with Lebanon and will show “zero tolerance” toward any infraction, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.

The agreement with Lebanon will maintain Israel’s freedom of operation there to act in defence to remove threats posed by Hezbollah and enable displaced residents to return safely to their homes in northern Israel, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer told Reuters.

The proposal has already won approval in Beirut, where Lebanon’s deputy parliament speaker Elias Bou Saab told Reuters on Monday there were no serious obstacles left to start implementing it – unless Netanyahu changed his mind.

Signs of a diplomatic breakthrough have been accompanied by a military escalation. Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday demolished more of Beirut’s Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, while the armed group has kept up rocket fire into Israel.

The widespread destruction left by Israeli airstrikes has brought into focus a huge reconstruction bill awaiting cash-strapped Lebanon, with more than 1 million people displaced and many left homeless heading into winter.

Men stand at a damaged site, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in Lebanon November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Yassin
© Thomson Reuters

In Israel, a ceasefire will pave the way for 60,000 people to return to homes in the north, which they evacuated as Hezbollah began firing rockets in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas a day after that group’s Oct. 7, 2023 assault.

‘THE MISSILES ARE CHASING US’

Israel has dealt Hezbollah massive blows since going on the offensive against the group in September, killing its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and other top commanders, and pounding areas of Lebanon where the group holds sway.

“Regarding the ceasefire, I think it will be implemented. Both sides are tired – both sides are tired,” said Selim Ayoub, a 37-year-old mechanic from Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Hezbollah launched some 250 rockets on Sunday in one of its heaviest barrages yet. The northern Israeli city of Nahariya came under more rocket fire overnight.

“As we were about to sleep, we suddenly heard a huge explosion, the window in our fortified room was shaking,” said Ofir Ben David, who was evacuated earlier in the conflict from the Israeli community of Shomera on the Lebanese border.

“The missiles are chasing us all the time.”

Diplomacy to end the fighting has focused on restoring a ceasefire based on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the last major war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006.

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said on Monday that Israel would maintain an ability to strike southern Lebanon under any agreement.

Lebanon has previously objected to Israel being granted such a right, and Lebanese officials have said such language is not included in the draft proposal.

Two Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel has a side agreement with the U.S. allowing it to take action in Lebanon against “imminent threats.”

Senior Hezbollah official Mohammad Raad, writing in a Lebanese newspaper on Tuesday, said it was unlikely Israel would “accept any talk about halting its aggression against Lebanon without pressure or without exhausting the option of using force on the ground”.

“However, we will wait and see the results of the indirect negotiations,” he wrote.

Hezbollah, seen as a terrorist group by Washington, has endorsed its ally Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to negotiate.

DEATH TOLL

Over the past year, more than 3,750 people have been killed in Lebanon and over one million have been forced from their homes, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures.

Hezbollah strikes have killed 45 civilians in northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. At least 73 Israeli soldiers have been killed in northern Israel, the Golan Heights and in combat in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli authorities.

Biden’s administration, which leaves office in January, has emphasised diplomacy to end the Lebanon conflict, even as all negotiations to halt the parallel war in Gaza are frozen.

U.S. Middle East envoy Brett McGurk will be in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss using a potential Lebanon ceasefire as a catalyst for a deal to end hostilities in Gaza, the White House said.

(This story has been corrected to fix the event at which the Lebanese foreign minister was speaking, in paragraph 2)

Ex-Minister Uju Kennedy Represents 5-Year-Old Abuse Victim in Court

Uju Kennedy, Ex-Women affairs Minister, appears in court to represent 5 year old girl who was sexually abused by her class teacher.

In a post on X on Monday, November 25, 2024, the lawyer reiterated her commitment to fighting for a better society and eradicating all forms of abuse against vulnerable Nigerians, including children.

To those who would dare perpetrate such atrocities, let this serve as a warning. I will pursue justice relentlessly in my capacity.

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