In a bid to ensure maximum compliance to the ‘Operation Clean all Gutters and Drains’ Campaign of the state government, Abia State Orientation Agency (ABSOA) in collaboration with Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) on Thursday embarked on a sensitization campaign within the city of Umuahia.
Speaking, the Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency, Ms Ure Abazie made it known that every last saturday of every month is set aside for the general clean-up exercise, stating that this month will not be left out.
The ABSOA Boss who noted that the rainy season for the year has commenced, emphasized the urgent need for cleaning and de-clogging of gutters to avoid flooding in the state. She also maintained that the clean up exercise is taking a new turn as the state has set up the necessary structure to ensure compliance.
Ms Ure Abazie condemned the habitual clogging of gutters by Abia residents and traders, while stressing that all residents should participate actively in the sanitation exercise, adding that cleaning of gutters begins before Saturday especially for shop owners, and that ASEPA has concluded plans to evacuate debris removed from the gutters to the designated refuse dumping sites.
She added that the clean up time is not a time for youths and teenagers to go out to play ball or engage in other personal activities, and urged that all hands must be on deck to make Abia the great state we want it to be, stressing that the campaign is not only for Umuahia residents but the entire 17 LGAs.
Also speaking, the Director of Information, Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, Mrs Blessing Ogbonna said that the exercise is not the usual business of negligence towards cleaning of the environment and indulgence in trading or other activities, while urging all to join in the cleaning of gutters and the entire environment.
She stressed that cleaning of gutters will reduce flooding in the state and its consequential damages, adding that everyone is part of the environment and should be made healthy.
The collaborating team took the message to most strategic locations of Umuahia including Isigate, Isicourt, Ahiaukwu Market, Orieugba Market, Worldbank Housing Estate, Agbama Housing Estate, and many other locations.
