The Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Iheanyi Ubani has revealed that health education on safe and hygienic practices is being given to Abians following the sudden visit of Cholera in the Southeast and Nigeria as a whole.
Recall that thousands of cases of cholera, an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria have been reported in Nigeria between January and July 2021. The states of Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Plateau Zamfara, Enugu State and others are among those affected.
Interacting with newsmen shortly after monitoring the month of July sanitation exercise, Mr. Ubani represented by the Deputy Director, Environmental Health Officer, Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Obi-maduka Ihuaku
urged Abia residents to cultivate the habit of keeping their sorroundings clean especially as the State is fighting hard to prevent the disease from sneaking into the Abia.
He said the Ministry of Environment will continue sensitising Abians on the need to keep their environments clean, as Cholera, Thyphoid fever, Malaria, COVID-19 among other diseases does not thrive in a healthy environment.
The Ministry of Environment Permanent Secretary who lauded those that participated actively during the exercise, encouraged Abians to always de-silt their drainages and cart away the refuse promptly.
He lauded the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for approving the cleanup exercise in the state and encouraged residents to own it and clean their surroundings regularly.
Meanwhile the president of rotary club of Umuahia North, Rotarian Emeka Sopuruchi, as well as other presidents joined the sanitation exercise to keep the environment clean.
Speaking with journalists at Umuahia North LGA headquarters, Rotarian Sopuruchi flanked by Rotarian Micheal Chukwudi Ibegbulam who spoke on behalf of other presidents said the club is selfless and service oriented while sanitation is one their services rotary club offer to the society. Emeka said rotary club of Umuahia men, rotary club of Umuahia Central, Umudike central and Umuahia North, partner in service, rotaracts of Umuahia community based, rotaracts club of Ikwuano community based, rotaracts club of Micheal Okpara University Umudike and Umuahia government house joined the sanitation exercise.
He revealed that they decided to support government agencies to tidy the environment, while others planted trees within Ikwuano Umuahia to avoid issues with ozone layer.
According to him, Abians need more sensitization to understand the importance of healthy environment.
