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Abia State government has emphasized that the task of governance and building a better society should not be left for government and its organs alone, but should involve all citizens, residents, companies, and organizations existing in the state.
The government has also tasked companies operating in the State to assist the government of Governor Alex Otti, to ensure a habitable, clean Abia for both citizens and visitors.
Mazi Ogbonnaya Okereke, General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), made the call on Wednesday while receiving representatives of GZI, a leading manufacturer of aluminum beverage cans, based in Aba who came to present him with Protective Kits for ASEPA workers.
Appreciating the Company, the ASEPA GM, lauded the representatives of GZI for being alive to its Extended Personal Responsibility, EPP and Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR.
He emphasized that what the Company has done is significant and underscores the firm belief of the Company to identify and align with the new Abia piloted by Governor Alex Otti, whom he said is steadily delivering value, changing lives and improving the livelihood and fortunes of Abians.
“This is a laudable initiative. GZI decided to properly clothe and keep our workers going in their work. We hope and encourage and also enjoin other corporate entities to emulate this laudable initiative and support Abia government and other sub-nationals, in fact, not just Abia State government.
“The task of governance and building a good society is not just for the government and its organs, but includes all citizens, residents, companies, and organizations present in any state. We know what they are doing might not be so much when you look at the volume or the quantum of money they are making, but I don’t know what is significant, because if they don’t do it, you can’t find them. GZI is a good corporate citizen. They pay their taxes, but this is an extra which we appreciate a lot.
Mazi Okereke encouraged GZI, not to relent in the discharge of their Corporate Social Responsibility, stressing that the gesture is an encouragement for the Agency which, according to him, will assist them immensely in ensuring that Abia environment can be likened to Rwanda, Singapore among other cities and countries of the world doing well in waste management.
On his part, Hon. Kalu Mba-Nwoko, member representing Ohafia South State Constituency and House Committee Chairman on Environment, said what GZI Company has done is what the Abia State House of Assembly seeks to achieve through HAB 31: A Bill for a Law to Establish Abia State Polluter Pays and Extended Producer Responsibility for the Management of Non-biodegradable Packaging Materials and for other matters connected therewith.
He stated that the bill is all about re-awakening the consciousness of companies operating in the state to be alive to their Corporate Social Responsibility of complementing the efforts of the state government in the area of waste management.
Mba-Nwoko regretted that Abians especially the Association of Table Waters Producers (ATWAP), are misconstruing what the bill seeks to achieve, adding that instead of weighing what Abia stands to gain in terms of environmental cleanliness, they are looking at the penalty attached for defaulting.
He commended GZI for already keying into the principles of the bill which is to ensure environmental cleanliness and ensure that Private Companies partner government in this regard, assuring that a copy of the bill will be sent to them before the bill is passed into law.
“That law, that is exactly what its talking about. But it’s unfortunate that the pure water producers just picked one part and blew it out of proportion. The bill is still in progress. We will communicate a copy of that bill because it’s still a bill so that you make an input. It’s good that you have already known it. Many of the people shouting don’t know this.
“So this is just what that bill is all about. Not just the monetary aspect of it. There could be money to support the government in what we are doing. But we need to sit at a round table. We are not doing anything to suffocate the SMEs in the State,”
Earlier, why stating the aim of their visit, the representative of GZI, Mr. Obi Nwankwo, said the environmental cleanliness of the state since the current administration mounted the saddle is what has captured their attention to donate the Protective Kits to assist the Agency in discharging its duties of proper waste management.
He revealed that over the years, GZI has carried out its Corporate Social Responsibility very well even in Aba, pointing out that in the Western part of the country, they have embarked on various mouthwatering projects aimed at assisting the efforts of various state governments.
“So we found out there was need for something like this to be done because we already do in other parts of Nigeria, in the West. So that’s why the company said, okay, let’s replicate that here.
“We plan to also continue in that light. Because as a company, GZI has been doing so much in the area of CSR. In fact, we are doing about 3.7 kilometer road within a place where we are working in Aba. Its not because of any other return, but because we want to ensure that we add value wherever we are. So that’s why we are also collaborating with ASEPA.
“GZI is pleased with what ASEPA is doing. You know, what you see in other places like Rwanda, where people can pick fruit that fall on the streets and eat because it’s clean. I want to see a place like Singapore where there is a law banning chewing of gum, so you don’t litter the place. I thank God that even in our locality here, we are seeing that kind of thing. And that’s why we are deeply pleased to partner ASEPA.
He commended the ASEPA GM for a job well done, urging the Agency to sustain what they have started, saying “I believe that ASEPA will not be like some organization that companies bring their vehicle. If you see that vehicle in the next two months, you will regret giving it to them. And that’s why we are doing it. Because we have seen what ASEPA has been doing”.
Also speaking, Peter Ekekwe, the Deputy General Manager, ASEPA in charge of Ohafia Zone, lauded GZI for being alive to its responsibilities, admitting that the Protective Kits will assist personnel of the Agency in discharging their duties creditably.
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