Orie Ugba traders, Abians show full support to Environmental Sanitation Exercise.

Orie Ugba traders, Abians show full support to Environmental Sanitation Exercise.

Authorities in Abia State arrested 84 individuals on Saturday, July 26, 2025, for violating the state’s monthly environmental sanitation order, observed statewide from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. every last Saturday of the month.

The sanitation initiative, spearheaded by Abia State Government through the Ministry of Environment, aims to ensure cleaner urban and rural spaces and instill a culture of environmental responsibility among citizens.

Following their arraignment at the Mobile Sanitation Court in Umuahia, 11 persons were discharged on legal and compassionate grounds. These included a professor on special assignment, a medical doctor on official duty, and nine students scheduled for examinations, all cleared by Presiding Magistrate, His Worship O.C. Ibekwe. The remaining 73 offenders faced legal consequences in accordance with the Environmental Sanitation Law of Abia State.

During a post-monitoring briefing, State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, expressed satisfaction with the high level of public participation, especially within major urban centers.

“The compliance at Orie Ugba Market was total. This is evidence that our people are gradually aligning with Governor Alex Otti’s clean and green vision for Abia,” Ogbonna said.

He attributed the success to the aggressive sensitization programmes and also lauded the active involvement of the Harmonized Taskforce Team, whose intensified operations have enhanced monitoring and enforcement across the state.

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Also speaking, the Governor’s Special Assistant on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, commended citizens and urged even greater engagement in subsequent exercises.

Chief Kalu Mba Nwoke, Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Member representing Ohafia South Constituency, reported active participation from his constituency, especially in Akanu-Ohafia. He called on traditional rulers to lead grassroots sensitization campaigns on the importance of environmental sanitation.

In a proactive move, Chief Nwoke also raised an alarm over a collapsed three-storey building located between Roads 1 and 2 in the Low-Cost Housing Estate, urging authorities to act swiftly to prevent further structural hazards.

In a related development, the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) has sealed off the premises of the collapsed three-storey building.

The General Manager of UCDA, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh, visited the site and confirmed that two people, including a baby, narrowly escaped death after a bungalow beside the structure was damaged in the collapse. Both survivors are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.

“We’ve begun investigations into the structural failure. An integrity test will be conducted on the two other buildings still standing. If violations are found, the property owner will be sanctioned under the law,” Agomoh said.

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The events highlight both the growing civic responsibility among Abia residents in sanitation compliance and the urgent need for proactive building safety enforcement. As the government pushes forward with its environmental agenda, the building collapse serves as a sobering reminder of the stakes tied to urban planning, safety, and regulatory oversight. Together, these developments reflect Abia State’s evolving commitment to public health, safety, and sustainable development.

Eyewitnesses, including Mr. Ugwumba Shedrack, an occupant of the affected bungalow, and Mr. Babayu Adamu, a security guard, said the incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. and that the building had previously shown signs of structural stress.

Emergency evacuation of remaining residents by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is ongoing, as authorities move to avert further risks.