Abians have been commended for keying into the attitude of keeping their surroundings clean without being forced.
The Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, stated this while addressing newsmen after the June edition of the state monthly cleanup exercise, and expressed his excitement that the exercise was impressive as people complied out of their own volution.
He expressed his optimism that going by this, much will be achieved in the future editions, disclosing that Sanitary Inspectors have been reconstituted and will be going from house-to-house to monitor environmental cleanliness.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Abia House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke, described the exercise as impressive and with high level of compliance, stating the need to talk to the traders in the state who come out to stay at their stalls while the exercise is going on.
He reminded them that on environmental days, they are not supposed to be at the market, emphasizing that they need to remain in their houses to observe the sanitation as well as clean up their surroundings.
He warned, “Soon, Environmental Taskforce will be in place to tackle that (attitude)”.
Contributing, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, lauded the outcome of the exercise, maintaining that it will get better in the coming days.
“I am happy that Abians are imbibing the exercise, but needs to do more”, she said.
Also speaking, the Deputy General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Umuahia zone, Catechist Ambrose Jonah, said the level of compliance was massive, adding, “Today’s exercise was wonderful and witnessed high level of compliance with all streets sparkling.
“Many desilted their gutters and cleaned their environment. However, Abians need to do more”.
He frowned at the number of defaulters during the exercise, and called on Abians to cultivate the habit of staying at home to participate in the exercise by keeping their surroundings clean than choosing to do business while relegating their health to the background.
Fifty three persons were arrested by members of the Task Force for violating the state environmental sanitation law and carrying out businesses during the clean up hours.
Two persons were discharged by the Presiding Magistrate, Onyinyechi Ibekwe on health grounds, while the third defaulter who was released was identified as a student who was going for her examination.
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