…As Nigerian Army joins Àbia. Drive
The Commissioner for Environment Àbia State Philemon Asonye Ogbonna said that his ministry have come to partnership arrangement with the men of 145Battalion Nigeria Army as they participated in the October Sanitation exercise.
He made the disclosure while addressing newsmen shortly after the exercise at the High Court premises Umuahia last Saturday.
According to him, the situation in isi_gate has seriously improved as a result of the presents of the soldiers, adding that the soldiers will continue to join his ministry in the monthly Sanitation exercise.
Ogbonna said that it has become a norm that every last Saturday of the month his Ministry will monitor the clean up exercise and today they have gone round in company of the Chairman House Committee on Environment Hon Kalu Mba Nwoke including the senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment Dr.ijeoma Iheukwumere not forgetting the ministry’s permanent secretary Mr.Ikechukwu Oriuwa.
According to him ,”we are happy Abians to a very very great extent they are embibing the culture of keeping the environment clean like we usually say it is not 100 percent”.
After monitoring the exercise Umuahia, Ogbonna, reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to maintain a clean and healthy environment.He announced plans by the government to establish a mobile Court at the famous Orie_Ugba Market in Umuahia urban to prosecute traders who persistently violate the Àbia State Basic Environmental laws.
Ogbonna regretted that repeated appeals to traders to comply with the monthly clean up exercise had fallen on deaf ears, pointing out that the state government has been lenit enough but would now take a firm step,he added.
He said, “You heard me say it, wer’e going to put an arrangement in place and move the Sanitation court to the Orie Ugba market, and by the time we get 10_30 persons prosecuted,the lesson would have been taught”.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the his ministry would intensify enforcement at motor parks and market places by giving equal attention to the Friday edition of the Sanitation exercise which had previously received less compliance.
Lending his voice, the chairman, House Committee on Environment in Àbia State House of Assembly and member representing the good people of Ohafia South state Constituency,Hon.kalu Mba Nwoke, expressed satisfaction with the residents of Umuahia and Aba for complying with the exercise and attributed the current improved hygienic condition of the state to better health safety compliance.
“Our hospitals are becoming less crowded because people are living healthier lives”.
Those who still loiter about during Sanitation hours should desist and stay at home”, he concluded.
Also speaking,the senior Special Assistant to Governor on Environment,Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, described the October 2025 edition as one of the most successful exercise observed.
She appreciated the efforts of the security agencies, especially the army and the police,for their support in enforcing compliance as she cautioned young girls against leaving their homes during the exercise.In the end of the exercise 108 defaulters were arrested in Umuahia as 12were discharged based on health grounds and students,96violators were sentenced to various forms of punishment by a mobile Court presided over by magistrate O.C Ibekwe.
