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Abia Commissioner for Environment, Mr Philemon Ogbonna, says the State Government is already deepening discussions with the Local Government Mayors in the 17 LGAs of the State so as to ensure that the Monthly Sanitation Exercise records massive compliance rate.
Ogbonna, who stated this on Saturday while addressing Journalists after the Monthly Sanitation Exercise for July, said enforcement of the exercise has focused more on Umuahia, Aba and Ohafia, emphasizing that there is need to extend monitoring to other LGAs with the assistance of the Taskforce.
“We are deepening discussions with the 17 local government Mayors to highlight the need for them to ensure there is compliance in their domains. The compliance level in some of these local government areas is not up to what we have in Umuahia and since this exercise is statewide, there is need to have that discussion.”
Responding to the compliance rate of Abians during the exercise, the Commissioner expressed happiness with the turnout of people during the exercise, admitting that Abians are beginning to key into the practice of keeping their environment clean without being coerced.
“Honestly speaking on today’s exercise, I noticed and observed much more people complying to what we are doing. The compliance today is impressive.
“Particularly, I went to Orie Ugba, since I joined this team, I have not seen Orie Ugba on a clean-up day as I saw it today and that is a testament that people are getting used to what we are doing.”
He called on Abians to put in more effort to ensure that the success attained today is sustained, adding that areas visited during the exercise including Olokoro, Ubakala, indicated much more improvement while commending traders at Orie Ugba for complying with earlier directive to stay at home and observe the exercise.
Ogbonna appreciated the incorporation of the harmonized taskforce into the team, saying their energy also contributed to the level of success recorded, assuring that they will ensure that the compliance level will continue to improve.
On his part, Hon. Kalu Mba-Nwoko, member representing Ohafia South State Constituency and House Committee Chairman on Environment, commended traders at Orie Ugba market for complying to the directives of the State Government.
The Lawmaker also lauded traditional rulers in his Constituency in Ohafia for mobilizing the people to participate actively, informing that he got fillers that the people came out in their large numbers to participate in the sanitation exercise.
Reacting to reports involving the collapse of a three-storey building located around Olokoro Road, Federal Low Cost Housing Estate, Ohobo Afara Umuahia, which belonged to a former Governorship Candidate in the 2023 election and APC chieftain, Ikechi Emenike, Mba-Nwoko called on Abia State Government to swing into action.
He emphasized the need for relevant authorities to ensure that proper investigation is carried out, stressing that the two remaining buildings in the compound that have caved in, should be properly examined with those living there evacuated to avert impending danger.
“I’m happy with what we saw today. The only ugly thing that I must have to bring to the notice of everybody and the authorities is the collapsed building at Low-cost Estate. The government, as a matter of urgency, should go there immediately to forestall loss of life.
“The people squatting there might be lucky that no life was lost, tomorrow who knows what will happen to the other two remaining buildings that is almost shaking. So I’m using this opportunity to call on the relevant authorities to go immediately and let something be done.”
Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor to Governor Alex Otti on Environment, Prof Ijeoma Iheukwumere, who commended Abians for participating actively without being coerced, also expressed optimism that though it is not yet 100% compliant rate, it would get even more better in the coming months.
“Even though you can’t say it’s 100%, we need that sustenance and I appeal to all Abians, everybody, to sustain it.”
Southeastposts reports that 84 people were arrested, 11 people were discharged for various grounds including health and academics.
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