BY ANITA UCHE CHUKWUMA
Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Jamani Tommy Ejiro has admonished Deltans and residents to keep their environment clean and ensure environmental sustainability in the state.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji,
made the call during the monitoring of environmental sanitation exercise.
The Ministry’s sanitation monitoring team visited communities across Aniocha South, Isoko North, and Oshimili South, LGAs with their local government officials and environmental health officers.
The exercise was carried out despite the fact that no movement restriction order was placed on residents.
The exercise was to ensure that the M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori with regards to environmental sustainability is achieved across the state.
The dumpsites in the areas were inspected in order to check the level of maintenance just as the Commissioner called on residents to patronize their Private Sector Participants (PSPs) to evacuate their refuse to government approved dumpsites.
At Ogwashi-Uku, the Permanent Secretary expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance of residents toward the exercise.
During the exercise, the Council Chairman, Hon. Jude Chukwuwike and the HoD Environment mobilized resources into drains desiltation and evacuation, while residents were seen clearing weeds in their surroundings.
The HoD Environment and Supervisory Councilor accompanied the Permanent Secretary and her team round Ogwashi-Uku metropolis, and visited the dumpsite, motor park, the market, Kwale Park, Obi Palace road among others.
Speaking with the Chairman during the exercise, the Permanent Secretary said the Honourable Commissioner and the ministry officials carry out supporting monitoring and supervision exercise to LGAs to ensure that residents become fully aware of their obligations towards maintaining a clean environment.
Monitoring of sanitation exercise has shifted from just apprehending loiterers during the sanitation exercise to apprehending those whose surroundings are unkempt with refuse to obey orders to clean them.
In another development, the Honourable Commissioner was represented by Mrs. Francisca Atigan Director Sanitation and Waste Management, who led another team of the ministry’s officials to monitor the exercise in Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.
In Asaba, Ministry officials went round major places such as Okpanam road, Nnebisi road, Ibusa road, Ezenei road, Ogbeogonogo Market, Koka junction among others.
During the exercise, abatement and demand notices were served to residents with poor sanitation practices. A total of five demand notices were served to defaulters.