Anita Ogona
It is observed that during festivities such as New Year Celebrations and Other Celebrations, people resort to burning of tires and other materials on our roads and environment. The frenzy associated with the euphoria of the celebrations often lead to obnoxious indespicable actions such as burning tires on our roads.
Burning of tires release a significant amount of toxic pollutants such as Sulphur dioxide SO2 , Nitrogen Oxide NOx, Carbon Monoxide CO, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter into the atmosphere. These chemicals are very harmful to both plant animal and aquatic life. Our environment is harmed and defaced by these practices.
When tires are burnt on tarred roads, the heat and fire which emanate from them cause the binding molecules to disintegrate , hence affecting the bitumen or coal-tar used for the construction of the roads. Pot holes always begin and expand from the spots where these tyres are burnt.
The state government spends huge resources to construct these roads. These resources are not only limited but are carefully deployed and prioritized. The state cannot therefore afford to have these roads so built to be destroyed over obnoxious practices as a result of frenzied over-excitement.
Ndi Anambra are therefore enjoined to shun the practice of burning tires on our roads as this is very detrimental to our environment and often leads to infrastructural decay of our roads. They may have ignorantly indulged in so doing before but this practice of tire burning on Anambra roads must stop forthwith.
The relevant enforcement agencies attached with Ministry of Environment will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any person caught burning tires on our roads.
Compliments of the Season.
Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu
Commissioner for Environment
Anambra State.
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