UMUAHIA— The Abia State Government has hinted at the possibility of setting up a Neighborhood Environmental Watch to complement its efforts at ensuring environmental cleanliness across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriruwa, disclosed this on Saturday while addressing newsmen after the monthly sanitation exercise.
According to him, the move is to ensure that government is not solely saddled with the responsibility of enforcing compliance, emphasizing that keeping Abia clean should be the responsibility of all.
”So, creating a neighborhood environmental watch will help Abians take responsibility for keeping their surroundings and Abia clean,” Ogbonna said.
Improved Compliance Recorded
Speaking on the level of compliance with the monthly sanitation exercise, the Commissioner said there was noticeable improvement compared to previous months, describing it as a work in progress.
”Well, I would say that I’m so impressed. Abians are keying in. They are now coming out to do the cleanup and observe it well. So I think we are doing well so far and there’s room for improvement,” he stated.
Otti’s Commitment To Healthy Environment
The Commissioner also reaffirmed Governor Alex Otti’s resolve to maintain a healthy environment, adding that the governor has not reneged on his promise.
”At the inception of this administration, His Excellency promised Abians that every sector of government must work. So, in our own little sector, the Ministry of Environment, we are doing our best. We advise Abians to key into this vision.
”You know, Abia is God’s own state. And we say that cleanliness is next to godliness. For us to be actually God’s own state, we must keep Abia clean,” he concluded.
