The Abia State government says it will establish a sanitation court at Orieugba market and at other locations where necessary to enforce the order requiring traders and residents to stay home during designated sanitation hours.
Commissioner for Environment Mr. Philemon Ogbonna announced the plan after monitoring the October sanitation exercise in Umuahia. He said the court will be part of stepped-up measures to ensure compliance: “When we begin to get 10, 20, 30 people [sanctioned], the lesson will have been taught,” he said.
Ogbonna described the month-end exercise as increasingly embraced across the state.
“To a very, very great extent, people are imbibing the culture of keeping the environment clean. We are not yet at 100 percent, but there is clear improvement,” he said, appealing to all Abians to join government efforts. “Prevention is better than cure. The compliments Abia State is receiving for environmental cleanliness are heartwarming and we want to keep it up. It is an assignment for every resident.”
The commissioner said the daily sanitary inspection service has been restored and will be used to reach areas the larger exercise cannot, adding that enforcement of Friday sanitation in motor parks and markets will be strengthened to match the effectiveness of the Saturday home clean-up. “Friday enforcement is not as effective as we expected. Going forward, we’ll put a strategy in place to ensure the same level of compliance on Fridays,” he said.
Ogbonna also noted improvements at some trouble spots. He singled out Isi-gate market for marked progress crediting the presence of soldiers, who have entered into a partnership with the sanitation team and pledged continued efforts at Orieugba and other persistent problem areas.
Supporting the exercise, the House Committee Chairman on Environment and member for Ohafia South, Mba Kalu-Nwoke, praised residents for taking the clean-up seriously. He said the healthier environment is contributing to less crowded hospitals and commended the overall response.
Professor Ijeoma Iheukwumere, Special Adviser on Environment to Governor Alex Otti, echoed praise for the cooperation of security officers and the improvements recorded.
She cautioned, however, that shop owners who frequently leave their surroundings untidy will be targeted with further action.
On enforcement, officials warned that those who flout the rules will face consequences. Ogbonna and other officials expressed particular concern about people who loiter during sanitation hours including young women who move about inappropriately dressedsaying such conduct undermines the exercise and will be addressed under the law.
