...Warns sanitary inspectors against extortion
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government says it has begun the clearing of waterways and drainages in Aba, Umuahia, and other parts of the state as a proactive step towards averting flood disaster.
This, according to the state government, follows the recent flood alert by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who addressed newsmen in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Gov. Alex Otti, said government would stop at nothing to avert any disaster in the state.
He, however, solicited the cooperation of residents, urging them to help free up water drainages and to avoid dumping refuse into water channels.
The Commissioner noted that some progress had been made by sanitary inspectors who, he said, had visited over 45,000 households across 85 communities in the state.
He explained that the intention of government in reviving sanitary inspection in the state was to improve environmental cleanliness and not to generate revenue.
The Commissioner warned sanitary inspectors against extortion of residents, vowing to deal ruthlessly with any inspector engaging in unholy acts.
Kanu warned them against taking undue advantage of environmental sanitation defaulters.
Prince Kanu further said that the State Executive Council had approved a state-wide tree planting campaign due to its huge environmental benefits.
He, therefore, solicited the support and cooperation of residents for the success of the campaign.
Kanu highlighted improvement in climatic conditions, erosion control, and enhancement in aesthetic views as some of the benefits of going green.
Contributing, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, urged residents to report any sanitary inspector or Environmental Health Officer caught extorting money from defaulters.
Stressing that both the State Government and the Ministry had zero tolerance for corruption, the Commissioner advised the inspectors not to abuse their office.
He solicited the cooperation of every resident in government’s efforts to clean up the state.
“The government cannot do it alone, so every community, village head, traditional ruler should be part of this campaign and ensure that Abia is clean.
“The objective of the government is not to generate revenue. No, it’s to make sure our environment is clean. So the sanitation inspectors have a duty to make sure that they do their job professionally.”
Responding to questions, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said no sanitary inspector had any excuse to engage in extortion, warning that anyone caught in such an act would regret it.
He re-emphasized that the essence of re-introducing sanitary inspection in the state was to help avert disease outbreak by improving environmental cleanliness.
“This does not serve as an avenue for extortion of innocent citizens. It’s to avert outbreak of diseases.
“This is in the interest of everyone, especially the rural dwellers. This was something that was being done in the past. We are now giving it a human face.”
On the recent sack of six staff of the Ministry of Justice involved in salary padding, the Chairman, Abia State Civil Service Commission, Dr. (Mrs.) Eno Jerry Eze, said civil service rules were followed in disengaging them.
She said that the affected persons also admitted committing the offense and are being prosecuted.
Declaring that the era of cutting corners was gone, the Civil Service Commission boss warned Abia workers against all forms of sharp practices as severe penalties await anyone caught.
On the pockets of complaints by some workers over unpaid wages and promotion arrears, Mrs. Jerry Eze promised that they would all be addressed, assuring that the current administration was committed to improving workers’ welfare.
She said that due process was being followed in the ongoing recruitment of 771 health workers, insisting that only competent persons would be engaged.
Dr. Jerry Eze urged Abia workers to be dedicated to duty, assuring that their welfare would always be a priority.
