Anambra State Government has condemned in strong terms, burning of tyres on tarred roads across the state this festive season.
In a public statement jointly signed by Commissioners for Environment and Works and Infrastructure, Dr Felix Odimegwu and Engineer Ifeanyi Okoma, respectively, the government noted that the burning of tires releases a significant amount of toxic pollutants like Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxide, among others, into the atmosphere.
The statement explained that when tyres are burnt on tarred roads, the heat of the fire which emanates from them causes the binding molecules of the tarred roads to disintegrate, hence affecting the bitumen or coaltar used for the construction of the roads, with potholes developing at the spots.
According to the press release, the state government spends huge resources to construct these roads and cannot afford to have the roads destroyed over obnoxious practices as a result of over-excitement.
The press release warned that relevant enforcement agencies attached to the Ministry of Environment would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any person caught burning tires on any road in Anambra State henceforth. (Tribune)