Stop burning tyres on roads, Anambra warns residents

The Anambra State Government has cautioned residents to desist from the persistent practice of burning tyres on roads, warning that violators risk arrest and prosecution.

This warning was issued in a press statement jointly signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, and the Commissioner for Works and Housing, Ifeanyi Okoma, on Friday.

They noted that tyre burning often leads to the development and expansion of potholes, lamenting that the state spends significant resources repairing roads damaged by such activities.

According to the statement, the state’s resources are limited, and these destructive practices, often stemming from festive celebrations, place an unnecessary burden on infrastructural maintenance.

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.”