Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Tommy Jamani, has announced a significant shift in the state’s approach to environmental sanitation.
Moving away from the usual once-a-month cleaning exercise, the ministry will now conduct daily, unannounced inspections of private properties and business premises to ensure that the state capital, Asaba, remains clean and hygienic at all times.
Mr. Jamani, who led a sanitation monitoring exercise on Saturday, January 25, 2025, was accompanied by Dr. Mrs. Minnie Oseji, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment.
The exercise took them from Okpanam Road through to Nnebisi Road, where they inspected public spaces and monitored residents’ compliance with sanitation laws.
During the inspection, a number of people were arrested and brought before mobile courts, while others were immediately assigned community service, including street sweeping.
Mr. Jamani expressed frustration over the low level of compliance, which he estimated to be just 60%. This was evident as people were seen moving freely on the roads without adhering to the required sanitation standards.
“We cannot continue to allow this to go on. From now on, sanitation in Asaba will no longer be a once-a-month affair,” Mr. Jamani declared.
He emphasized that the new initiative would involve spontaneous, unannounced inspections of both private residences and business establishments. If a business premises is found to be violating environmental sanitation laws, its owner will face legal action.
Mr. Jamani also revealed that a magistrate would be accompanying the team during these inspections. In cases of violations, the mobile court will be set up at the site, and business owners will be prosecuted in front of their premises.
“We’ve made countless announcements, but it seems people still take us lightly,” he said. “From now on, they will no longer be able to ignore the law. The Ministry of Environment will work closely with the Oshimili South Local Government Council to ensure that Asaba remains clean.”
When questioned about the low compliance levels, Mr. Jamani acknowledged that residents of Asaba have been resistant to sanitation regulations. “Naturally, our people can be stubborn,” he noted. “But we are serious about this. We have already arrested several offenders, assigned some to community service, and taken others to mobile courts.”
Looking ahead, the Commissioner made it clear that the penalties would be more severe. “Next time, offenders won’t just sweep the streets. We will make them dig 20 meters of trenches as part of their punishment. Hopefully, this will drive home the seriousness of the issue.”
As this initiative takes off, the goal is clear: to create a cleaner, more sanitary Asaba that is free of the litter and environmental neglect that has plagued the city for too long.
