Anambra State Government Issues Stern Warning Against Tire Burning

The Anambra state government has issued an emphatic warning to residents to cease the increasingly common practice of burning tires on roads, asserting that those who violate this directive risk arrest and prosecution.

This advisory was conveyed in a press statement released on Friday, co-signed by Engineer Felix Odimegwu, Commissioner for Environment, and Engineer Ifeanyi Okoma, Commissioner for Works and Housing.

The commissioners highlighted that the act of tire burning not only contributes to the deterioration of road conditions by exacerbating potholes, but it also incurs significant costs for the state as it seeks to repair the damage caused by such activities.

The statement read, “It has been observed that during festivities such as New Year and other celebrations, people resort to burning tyres and other materials on our roads and environment.

“The frenzy associated with such celebrations often leads to despicable actions like tyre burning. This practice releases toxic pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter into the atmosphere.

“These chemicals are extremely harmful to plants, animals, aquatic life, and the general environment. Additionally, when tyres are burnt on tarred roads, the resulting heat and fire cause the disintegration of the binding molecules in the tar, damaging the bitumen used in road construction.

“Ndi Anambra are, therefore, urged to stop this harmful practice as it not only damages our environment but also accelerates infrastructural decay.

“While some people may have ignorantly engaged in this practice in the past, burning tyres on Anambra roads must stop immediately.

“The relevant enforcement agencies under the Ministry of Environment will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone found engaging in this act going forward.”

The Commissioners further that noted Anambra State Government remains committed to protecting both the environment and the integrity of state infrastructure, and it seeks the cooperation of all residents in this critical effort.