Abia revives sanitary inspection, launches tree campaign

The Abia Government says the revived sanitary inspection of compounds is not for taxation or punishment but to ensure residents maintain clean surroundings.

It introduced stipends for sanitary inspectors to encourage diligence and discourage extortion during visits to homes, villages, and communities across the state.

Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this at Government House, Umuahia, on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the weekly Executive Council Meeting.

Kanu said communities should be given at least one week’s notice before inspectors’ visits, ensuring fairness and adequate preparation by residents.

He stressed that sanitation efforts target disease reduction from dirty environments, which benefits all residents, and urged the public to comply with health directives.

Kanu added that the Council approved a state-wide tree planting campaign because of its numerous environmental and health benefits.

He said ASEPA was already de-silting drains in Aba and Umuahia following flooding warnings, aimed at preventing disasters in the cities.

The government urged residents not to clog drainage channels, stressing that responsible waste disposal was critical in checking flooding activities.

Officials at the briefing included Philemon Ogbonna, Commissioner for Environment; Dr Eno Jerry-Eze, Chairman Civil Service Commission; and Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the governor on Media.