The Abia State monthly environmental clean-up exercise for July witnessed a high turnout as most residents of Umuahia and its environs participated in the exercise.
Unlike what was obtained in the past, most motor parks, shops and markets in the State capital, Umuahia and households were cleaned by their occupants while the wastes scooped from gutters were carted away by trucks provided by the Abia State government.
Also, refuse dumps around the city were cleared by officials of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA during the 7 to 10am event.
But the situation was not the same at Umuahia North LGA secretariat as the local government council environment looked dirty and overgrown by grasses and abandoned refuse dumps.
Addressing the press after inspecting the clean-up, Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philomen Ogbonna warned that going forward, motor parks, markets or shopping complexes in the state would be sealed if the occupants of such facilities fail to keep them clean, especially on environmental day.
He further announced that plans are on to open all blocked drains in the state to allow the free flow of water to help prevent erosion.
Also addressing residents of Isi gate Umuahia and Aba motor park, the Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti, Caleb Ajagba who led other top government functionaries, said national and foreign investors are not interested in investing their money in dirty cities.
He noted that Governor Alex Otti was out to change the previous dirty outlook of Umuahia, which made him declare a state of emergency on the filthy environment in Abia, on his assumption of duty.
“We are not here to harass you but we are here to sensitize you on why you should help the new administration in the state to succeed in the area of cleanliness.
“By December this year, you people will see and testify about a new Umuahia, he said.
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