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The Abia State Government has, for the umpteenth time, announced that it has concluded arrangements to establish a mobile court at the Orie Ugba Market following persistent violations of the Abia State Basic Environmental Sanitation Laws by traders.
Giving reasons for the decision, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, while addressing journalists after the October Monthly Sanitation Exercise on Saturday, said previous appeals to the traders to observe the sanitation exercise had fallen on deaf ears.
He stated that the current administration in the state had been lenient with the traders despite their continued defiance, warning that, going forward, the government would take decisive action by setting up a mobile court in the market to try offenders who violate the Abia State Basic Environmental Sanitation Laws.
“You heard me say it, we’re going to put an arrangement in place and move the sanitation court to the Orie Ugba Market. By the time we get 10, 20, 30 persons, then the lesson would have been taught,” he said.
The Commissioner also revealed plans by the Ministry to ensure that the Friday edition of the monthly sanitation exercise receives the same attention as the last Saturday edition, emphasising that monitoring and enforcement of compliance would increase at motor parks and marketplaces.
“Going forward, we’ll put a strategy in place to make sure that, as we do on this Saturday, we’ll also apply the same on Friday. That one concerns motor parks and markets. We will, going forward, see how best that will be effectively enforced,” he added.
Mr. Ogbonna commended men of the 145 Battalion of the Nigerian Army stationed around Umuoriehi, Umuahia North LGA, for actively participating in the monthly sanitation exercise, noting that the Abia State Government had entered into a partnership with them to assist during future exercises.
“We have really come to a partnership arrangement that the soldiers will continue to join us in this exercise. So, going forward, I see much more improvement at the Isigate and other places,” he stated.
He expressed satisfaction with the participation of Abians in the exercise, emphasising that they are beginning to imbibe the culture of keeping their surroundings clean without being coerced.
“We’re happy. Abians, to a very great extent, are imbibing the culture of keeping the environment clean. Like we usually say, it’s not 100% we’re not there yet, but we’re happy there is great improvement in what we’re doing.
We are still appealing to Abians to please join hands with the government to keep our environment clean. Prevention is better than cure. The compliments Abia State is getting now in the area of environmental cleanliness are very heartwarming, and we want to sustain that.
It’s not a government assignment alone, it’s for every Abian and every resident. Keep your environment clean. When your environment is clean, you are the one who benefits from it,” the Commissioner concluded.
Also speaking, the House Committee Chairman on Environment and Member representing Ohafia South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Kalu Mba-Nwoke, appreciated Abians for actively participating in the exercise and warned those who loiter about during the exercise to desist.
According to him, there are now fewer patients in Abia hospitals because residents are beginning to embrace the culture of cleanliness, urging them not to relent.
“I’m happy that Abians are keying in seriously. I can see that our hospitals are becoming less crowded because we are living healthier lives. I’m happy with the way people are responding to the environmental sanitation exercise. There is always room for improvement. Those who still leave their homes to loiter about should please stay at home,” he said.
Aligning with the Commissioner and the House member, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, acknowledged that there was significant improvement in the October edition of the monthly sanitation exercise.
She lauded security agencies, including the Police, for assisting the Ministry in monitoring compliance and advised young girls who leave their homes during the exercise to desist, warning that the law would take its full course against defaulters.
Southeastposts reports that out of 108, 2 were discharged on health grounds 10 are students while 96 were persecuted in line with Abia State Basic Environmental Sanitation Laws.
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