As part of efforts to ensure a cleaner and healthy environment, the Edo State Government embarked on its re-introduced Environmental Sanitation exercise.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe monitored the exercise at Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Local Government Areas of Edo State, to assess the level of compliance amongst residents, which he rated sixty five percent (65%), describing it as better than expected.
This he attributed to adaptation to change which is often difficult, but with the turnout from Local Government Chairmen to Council staff, other Enforcement teams and residents, he noted that the sanitation exercise was commendable, expressing optimism that full participation will increase in the coming months.
He emphasized that the exercise was re-introduced by the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo as part of his efforts to improve the environment and public health in the State.
Commending the Nigerian Police Force and other Enforcement teams on ground for their cooperation, it was observed that some residents chose to disregard the Government directive even after confirming that they were aware of the sanitation exercise. It was on this premise, the Commissioner issued a firm directive that defaulters be brought before the mobile courts for disciplinary actions, appealing that minimal force be used. Some of the defaulters were made to clear an assigned portion with cutlasses as part of corrective measures.
In Esan West, about thirty individuals faced trial at a mobile court for failure to comply. Similar levels of enforcement were observed in Esan Central.
Dr. Lucky Eseigbe emphasized that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration will not tolerate any form of indiscipline towards compliance with the sanitation directives. He however admonished residents on the need for keeping the environment clean as a way of ensuring good hygiene, as it is beneficial to their well-being.
At Igueben, the Local Government Chairman, Hon. Henshaw Elimihe, said that the sanitation exercise was progressing smoothly, with high level of compliance, adding that effective measures had been put in place with pay-loaders and trucks contracted for immediate waste evacuation.
A resident at Igueben, Mr. John Ayemhe who expressed pleasure at the administration’s renewed commitment to environmental sanitation, appreciated Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Commissioner for their commitment to improving sanitation in the State, while welcoming the re-introduction of the environmental exercise.
This marks the first exercise in what is expected to be a continuous effort to maintain cleanliness and public health in Edo State.
Daniel-Nwosu Nohunwan Lucy
Media Officer,
MLGCA
PHOTO CAPTION
R-L: The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe with the Local Government Chairman, Igueben Local Government Area(LGA), Hon. Henshaw Elimihe, ascertaining the level of compliance and measures put in place for the evacuation of waste at Igueben LGA, during the monitoring of the re-introduced Environmental Sanitation exercise in Edo State.
