Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Asonye Ogbonna has warned citizens and residents particularly traders in the state against sabotaging the monthly sanitation exercise.
Addressing traders at Orieugba market Umuahia, while monitoring the exercise, Mr. Ogbonna who wondered why trading activities would be going on during the hours mapped out for the Cleanup exercise, charged them to embrace the new Abia mentality as the year 2024 will not be business as usual .
Mr Ogbonna flanked by the special Adviser to the governor on environment, Professor Ijeoma Iheugwumere and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Lady Joy Maduka, reminded them of the existence of the basic Environmental law.
“Orie Ugba market overtime has become a notorious area and we will deploy serious strategies including engaging the . community leaders and the market leaders to ensure that they comply”, the Commissioner said, even as he expressed delight that the exercise in the state is moving in a steady and progressive pace.
Moreover, the Commissioner lauded Abians, who in the past six months have naturally imbibed the culture of cleanliness without being forced and assured that the tempo as set by the Environment Ministry as it affects the exercise in the state would be sustained.
