Abia State Government has announced plans to reintroduce Sanitary Inspectors who would be charged with the responsibility of going from house-to-house to ensure environmental cleanliness in the state
The state commissioner for environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen after monitoring the May edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia.
He described the May sanitation exercise as impressive and commended Abians for keying into the attitude of keeping their surroundings clean without being coerced.
He said “Abia State government will soon reintroduce Sanitary Inspectors to ensure environmental cleanliness” he said
He admitted however that there must be defaulters who might also give flimsy excuses.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Abia House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon. KaluMbaNwoke, commended the compliance level.
He decried the activities of those doing business at OrieUgba market, reminding them that on environmental day, they are not supposed to be at the market, emphasizing that they need to remain in their houses to observe the sanitation as well as clean up their surroundings.
The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Prof. IjeomaIheukwumere, lauded the outcome of the exercise, maintaining that it will get better in the coming days.
Also speaking, the Deputy General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Umuahia zone, Catechist Ambrose Jonah, said the level of compliance was massive linking it to the second year anniversary as Abians are happy with the feat the Governor Alex Otti has achieved these two years on the saddle.
Catechist Jonah, who frowned at the number of defaulters during the exercise, called on Abians to cultivate the habit of staying at home, participate in the exercise by keeping their surroundings clean than choosing to do business while relegating their health to the background.
A total of fifty three persons were arrested for violating the Abia State environmental sanitation law.
Although most of the defaulters brought to the Environmental Mobile Court said they did not listen to radio announcements in the week concerning the sanitation exercise, the presiding Magistrate, OnyinyechiIbekwe discharged two persons on health grounds and another defaulter who was identified as a student.