Abia Decries Low Turnout For Environmental Sanitation

Abia State commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, has decried the low turnout of residents of the state capital, Umuahia, for the June monthly environmental exercise in the state.

This was just as over 60 defaulters were arrested from across the capital and prosecuted during the exercise which recorded a higher turnout in Aba and Ohafia.

Speaking to newsmen after monitoring the exercise, he expressed dissatisfaction with the development warning of government’s tough measures against environmental sanitation violators.

Represented by the head of Population Control and Environmental Health of the ministry, Happiness Akpulonu, he said the government would apply its environmental sanitation laws to the letters.

He stressed that effective sanitation management requires the active involvement of local government authorities and residents in maintaining clean surroundings at all times.

The commissioner urged mayors of the 17 local government areas to intensify public enlightenment campaigns and ensure regular sanitary inspections within their councils.

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‎Also speaking, the chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Environment and Urban Renewal, Kalu  Mba  Nwoke condemned the low turnout of the residents.

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‎Nwoke, who is the member representing Ohafia South Constituency in the House,  underscored the need for a change of attitude by the residents to avoid a repetition of the development.