By EDISON Okereke

The Managing Consultant and Group Managing Director of Eastern Waste Management Company, Mr. Nick Samolsvatov, has condemned the reckless manner in which some residents dispose of waste across Imo State.

Samolsvatov, whose firm EWAMAC was contracted by the Imo State Government as a foreign partner to manage refuse disposal, sanitation, and recycling statewide, spoke at the weekend in Owerri during the 2026 World Environment Day Observance.

Addressing journalists at the event, he described indiscriminate dumping as the main challenge facing waste management operations in the state.

“The main challenges are people who are throwing waste any how, any way they want. We’re trying a lot to address the challenge. We’re trying to advise the people of Imo State to dispose of their waste properly,” Samolsvatov said.

He appealed to residents to package their waste in a manner that prevents pollution and protects the environment. “Don’t throw plastics in the gutter and try to keep your environment clean. We’ll do the rest — we’ll clean up, protect, and we’ll recycle. Just arrange your waste the way it will not cause any pollution in the state,” he stated.

On the theme of the 2026 World Environment Day, “Climate Action,” Samolsvatov said his position was straightforward. “Since we’re dealing with very practical aspects of sanitation, the waste, I’m pleading with the citizens of Imo State to arrange their waste properly and not dispose of it any how,” he said.

The EWAMAC MD reiterated the company’s support for Governor Hope Uzodimma’s vision to restore Imo as the cleanest state in Nigeria. He called for patience and cooperation from the public, noting that achieving the goal would take some time but remained feasible.

“We’re supporting His Excellency Hope Uzodimma’s vision that Imo State should be the cleanest state all over Nigeria. We’re going to achieve that in practical terms, maybe before the end of this year,” he said.

Samolsvatov urged residents to support the initiative, stressing that sustained cleanliness requires collective effort between the government, the waste management company, and citizens.