The Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, has expressed satisfaction over the month of March, sanitation exercise in Umuahia.
Interacting with newsmen shortly after monitoring the exercise, he disclosed that a lot of awareness, advocacy and sensitization was carried out before the exercise but wondered why some of the residents are yet to cue in/key into the exercise meant for their good and wellbeing.
Ogbonna, who was represented by Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, a Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, warned that in coming weeks, the environmental sanitation enforcement team will be used to enforce and ensure compliance to the desilting of gutters and drainages in the state to make way for free flow of flood water, as the rainy season gradually sets in.
Speaking also, the Member representing Ohafia South State Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Environment, Chief Kalu Mba Nwoke appreciated most of the shop owners who adhered to the government directives on cleaning up their gutters, expressing optimism that Abia will someday and very soon too reach to a stage where the citizens and residents will not be compelled to clean up their surroundings.
He maintained that the state will not relent on his efforts to improve and sustain environmental cleanliness.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, called on Abians to develop the habits of cleaning up their environment and surroundings for healthy living.
She maintained that the rate of getting sick, the rate of mosquito bites and the multiplying numbers of rodents will drastically reduce in a clean and green environment.
