‎Sanitation: Abia Govt Blames Market Leaders for Low Compliance among Traders

‎Abia State Government says it will no longer tolerate the attitude of market leaders for failing to ensure that traders remain at home during the hours of the monthly sanitation exercise.
‎
‎The government said instead of assisting and making their work easier, these market leaders in Orie Ugba, Ubani Market among others, have consistently failed in their duties of ensuring that traders clean up their areas for business as well as observe the exercise on Saturday.
‎
‎Standing in for the Commissioner of Environment after the first monthly sanitation exercise for the year while addressing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oririuwa, revealed that having repeatedly asked the market leaders and traders to up their game regarding observing sanitation exercise, it will apply the stick to serve as punishment for those going against the Abia State Basic Environmental Law.
‎
‎Mr. Ogbonna also faulted the market leaders for failing to draw the attention of the state government or the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), to a heap of dirt discovered at Orie Ugba.
‎
‎He said, “We are not asking the market leaders to evacuate the refuse heap with their own money, rather to inform relevant authorities of government of the existence of such misnomer. I must say that I am completely disappointed with their attitude. They are not assisting the state government to maintain a healthy environment for all.”
‎
‎Speaking on compliance rate during the exercise, the Commissioner appreciated Abians for making use of the time allocated for the exercise to clean up their surroundings, expressing optimism that it will get better in the coming days.
‎
‎Contributing, the ASEPA DGM Umuahia Zone, Catechist Ambrose Jonah, lauded Abians for complying with the monthly sanitation exercise, emphasising that it is a good beginning for the year.
‎
‎He faulted the attitude of market leaders, saying they are responsible for the poor compliance rate observed among traders during the exercise.
‎
‎Catechist Jonah assured that the Agency will further engage with the market leaders to emphasise the need for them to assist the state government in enforcing compliance among traders during sanitation just as he stated that the Agency will continue to ensure that ASEPA receptacles go round Umuahia metroplice.
‎
‎Also speaking, the member representing Ohafia South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and House Committee Chairman on Environment, Hon. Kalu Mba-Nwoke, also expressed disaffection over the attitude of traders and market leaders at Orie Ugba and Ubani Market, insisting that they are not assisting the state government in maintaining a healthy environment.
‎
‎On the state of Ubani Market, Mba-Nwoke, who admitted that the poor road network in the market is a source of worry to traders and buyers, expressed optimism that the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, will fix the road in due course.
‎
‎Correspondent reports that out of the 51 defaulters arrested, 12 WAEC candidates were discharged, while 38 others were prosecuted in accordance with the Abia State Basic Environmental Law.