The member representing Ohafia South State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Kalu Nba-woke, has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of compliance during the resumed monthly environmental sanitation exercise, attributing the poor turnout and dirty environment to the three-month suspension of the exercise.
Speaking after monitoring the sanitation exercise in Umuahia on Saturday, Hon. Nba-woke described the situation, particularly at Orie Ugba Market, as “an eyesore,” noting that heaps of refuse had accumulated in several locations across the city.
He specifically directed environmental health officials to issue an abatement notice to the management of Access Bank along Owerri Road over the poor sanitary condition of its surroundings, warning that legal action should be taken if the bank fails to comply within the stipulated period.
“Generally, today, I’m not happy. It’s like we are forgetting the New Abia vision so soon after three months without sanitation. I want to remind Abians that the exercise is not over. Even when there is no official declaration, people should make environmental cleanliness a habit and clean their surroundings without being compelled,” he said.
The lawmaker also called on the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) to urgently clear the blocked drainage channels from isi-gate to ShopRite, noting that the blocked gutters pose environmental and public health risks.
“I tried reaching the UCDA General Manager but couldn’t get through. I am using this opportunity to call his attention to the blocked drainages so they can be desilted.
Government is doing enough to control trading activities in the area, and the UCDA should complement these efforts by ensuring the drains are properly maintained,” he added.
Responding to concerns over the postponement of the sanitation exercise due to various activities, Hon. Mba-Nwoke explained that the decision was based on circumstances requiring adjustment and should not be viewed as favouring any political party.
“When there is an issue that calls for postponement, it will just have to be. It mustn’t necessarily be because it was an LP activity. There was an engagement that required the postponement. Let’s not particularise it to any political party,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Happiness Akpolaonu, said she was equally disappointed with the outcome of the exercise, blaming the poor state of the environment on the prolonged inactivity of the monthly sanitation programme.
“I am not happy. Like the Honourable said, I attribute it to the inactivity over the past few months. There are heaps of refuse, especially around Orie Ugba and other markets. My team was overwhelmed because we could not evacuate all the waste we were expected to remove,” she said.
Mrs. Abolono, however, expressed optimism that the situation would improve as the sanitation programme resumes regularly.
She stressed that the Ministry would intensify enforcement rather than rely solely on public appeals.
“I don’t think advising people alone will work anymore. People generally need enforcement. We will have to compel people to do what they are supposed to do and see how it goes,” she said.
On the role of environmental health officers in the 17 local government areas, Mrs. Akpolaonu appealed to council authorities to ensure the officers actively participate in sanitation supervision and routine sanitary inspections.
“The Ministry of Environment does not carry out routine sanitary inspections. We only respond through spot checks and complaints.
The environmental health officers in the local governments should pay more attention to their responsibilities, while the Mayors should encourage them to come out during sanitation exercises to support supervision,” she added.
