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Abia State Government has condemned the attitude of traders at Orie Ugba Market, who continue to do business during sanitation exercise while flouting the directive of the State Government, saying going forward, she would use ‘Stick and Carrot’ Approach in Enforcement.
The government also decried that traders sell in dirty environment while jeopardizing the health of Abians as well as sabotage the efforts of the State Government at ensuring a healthy environment.
Addressing the press after the February Monthly exercise on Saturday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, who spoke for the Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, said the State Government has been so lenient with respect to enforcement of sanitation laws.
He decried that despite various sensitization before and after each exercise which harps on maintaining healthy and clean environment, the traders especially at Orie Ugba Market, among others have remained non-committed to the ideology of the present administration aimed at re-writing the story of the State in terms of waste management.
He stated that going forward, the State Government will deploy all machinery to ensure that the traders conform to the Abia State Environmental Laws, stressing that a Taskforce will be set up to ensure that there is compliance during the exercise.
Contributing, the member representing Ohafia South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and House Committee Chairman on Environment, Hon. Kalu Mba-Nwoko, frowned at the attitude of motorists who enter Abia State through other routes, warning them to stop over until the exercise is completed.
He appreciated the compliance level recorded during the exercise, insisting that Abians can do better and get to the level that there would be no need for enforcement.
Southeastposts reports that 58 people were arrested for violating the Abia State Environmental Sanitation Law. Out of the 58, 7 were discharged on health grounds.
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