SANITARY INSPECTORS RESTATED ACROSS THE 17 LGAs OF THE STATE
The Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Environment Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna has charged the HODs of Environmental Health officers from the 17 Local Government Areas of the State to be proactive and effective in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Ogbonna while addressing them in
a crucial meeting in his office also said that His Excellency the Governor of Abia State Dr. Alex C. Otti, OFR has graciously approved the return of sanitary inspectors in the state with immediate effect.
He emphasized the important roles of sanitary inspectors to environmental health, which are primarily geared towards maintaining, improving public health, preventing the spread of diseases, ensuring safe environment that promote public health and more.
The Honourable Commissioner urged them also to always
adopt professionalism in carrying out their duties stating that the areas that are critical to government are the various local government where the services of sanitary inspectors are no longer effective as it ought to be and urged them to carry the crusade of sensitization to their LGAs.
The Environment boss highlighted that the state has over 130 Environmental health officers and 520 sanitary zone in the state and said intensive and quality. Services are expected from them .
He therefore said that a date will be conveyed to them for a state wide inauguration.
The Hon. Commissioner stressed the need for the environmental health officers to renew their licences stating that the government will only work with those that are up to date with their professional registrations.
In their different contributions ,
the General Manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Mr. Ogbonnaya Okereke, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere said that the role of sanitary inspectors are very critical in the environmental health of the State, stating that Abia is no longer the dirtiest State as previously addressed and urged the environmental health officers to join hands with the state government in the vision of rebranding the environmental health of the State.
Responding on behalf of the others, Mr. Obi Ejike Udegha, and Mrs Onyinyechi Nwaigwe environmental health officers Umuahia North and Obingwa LGAs respectively narrated some of the challenges encountered in carrying out their assignment to include political interference, lack of mobility, lack of imprest, touting, interference of opinion leaders amongst others and pleaded with the Hon. Commissioner to come to their aid. They also noted the need to sensitize the traditional rulers , involvement of security agencies and the judiciary in discharging their duties.
In a vote of thanks, Mrs Onyinyechi Nwaigwe thanked the commissioner for the warm reception accorded them and promised on behalf of other officers to put in their best to achieve the vision of new Abia.
The permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Ikechukwu Chidozie Oriuwa and other directors of the Ministry were present during the meeting.
