Abia Records Massive Compliance as July Environmental Sanitation Exercise Sees 80% Success

By Charity Uwakwe

A cleaner environment begins with collective responsibility. That commitment was evident across Umuahia on Saturday as thousands of residents turned out to participate in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with officials describing the compliance level as one of the most encouraging in recent months. The impressive turnout has renewed hope that Abia’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment is steadily becoming a culture rather than a routine exercise.

The July monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia recorded about 80% compliance, according to observations by Famous Reporters. The Abia State Ministry of Environment described the turnout as a strong indication that residents are embracing Governor Alex Otti’s vision for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, while calling for the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Watch groups to sustain the momentum.

The Abia State Government has commended residents of Umuahia for their impressive participation in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the turnout as a strong indication that citizens are embracing the state’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Speaking after monitoring the exercise across major parts of the Umuahia metropolis, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and urged residents to sustain the momentum.

According to him, the success recorded during the exercise reflects growing public support for the environmental agenda of the Labour Party-led administration.

“I think, so far, so good. At this point, what we need to do is sustain the momentum. We should move forward with establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch so that residents can monitor compliance and ensure the initiative is sustained,” he said.
Mr. Oriuwa further applauded both residents and the organisers for the success of the exercise.

“Well, I must say I am very impressed. I appreciate the organisers for putting this programme together. It has been highly impressive, and I believe participants have learnt a great deal. From what I have observed so far, everything has been well organised, and I think they are doing an excellent job. I encourage them to keep up the good work because programmes like this are beneficial to everyone,” he added.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that environmental sanitation should become a daily culture rather than an activity observed only on designated sanitation days.

Drawing from an Igbo proverb, he explained why communities must collectively protect their environment.

“An Igbo proverb says that a goat owned by the public often goes hungry. That is why establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch is important. It will encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that sanitation efforts are sustained.”

He also urged government agencies to strengthen enforcement by deploying environmental health officers to carry out routine inspections and ensure compliance with sanitation laws.

“The government already has structures in place, such as environmental health officers and other relevant agencies, to monitor compliance. These officials should conduct regular inspections and enforce environmental sanitation laws. Where drains are blocked, refuse is dumped indiscriminately or properties are poorly maintained, warning notices should be issued and offenders sanctioned where necessary. Consistent monitoring and enforcement will help make sanitation a daily habit rather than something observed only on environmental sanitation days,” he stated.

Guild Of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) Monitoring

Meanwhile, , Guild Of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) team which independently monitored the exercise across the Umuahia metropolis, observed an estimated 80 per cent compliance during the sanitation exercise.

Visits to major locations, including Express Tower, Azikiwe Road, Orie Ugba Market and Akanu Ibiam Road (Bank Road), revealed that residents largely complied with the sanitation order by cleaning their surroundings and restricting movement during the exercise.

Similarly, areas such as Finbarrs Road, School Road, Enugu Road, and several other parts of the city also recorded impressive participation, indicating widespread public awareness and adherence to the environmental sanitation directive.

The encouraging level of compliance, observers noted, demonstrates increasing public commitment to environmental cleanliness and aligns with the Abia State Government’s vision of promoting a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable society.

However, at the Umuahia Tower axis leading to the Old Railway Station, officials of the Abia State Ministry of Environment, alongside personnel of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), intensified enforcement by sealing business premises that failed to comply with the sanitation directive.

Authorities have, therefore, urged residents not to relent but to maintain proper sanitation practices every day, stressing that environmental cleanliness remains a shared responsibility.