Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) has trained road sweepers on best practices.
The workshop which took place at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat complex Awka recently witnessed the assemblage of over four hundred road sweepers from across the state being tutored on the vision of the state government on environmental cleanliness.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser (SPAD) to the Governor on Political matters Dr Alex Obiogbolu who was a special guest charged the road sweepers on diligence and dedication to their duties.
According to him, Anambra State today can boast of being among the cleanest states in the country. He however noted that it is the vision of Governor Soludo to make Anambra the cleanest state in Nigeria.
The SPAD who intimated the gathering of government’s plan to increase their workforce to about 3000 sweepers, however noted that it is their dedication to duty and outstanding service delivery that will convince the Governor to actualize such plan.
He announced that for the next three months, there will be a weekly reward for best road sweepers; noting that when the state is clean, it attracts foreign investors which ultimately leads to more development and job creation.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Board of ASWAMA Dr Emma Ezenwaji appreciated the state government for her massive interest and investment in the affairs of ASWAMA.
He urged road sweepers to reciprocate this kind gesture by giving their jobs the best attention, noting that they can be elevated to a great height from this seemingly little job.
The Chairman called on all road sweepers especially those in the capital city to double their efforts no matter the challenges being encountered.
In a keynote address the Managing Director of ASWAMA Mr Mike Ozoemena while appreciating the road sweepers for their effort so far however warned thatthe time for truancy was over.
“Governor Soludo is very particular about the cleanliness of the state, that is why he is investing a lot of interest in ASWAMA, we will not hesitate to kick out any road sweeper involved in the dereliction of duty”, he said.
The MD charged all supervisors to be alive to their supervisory roles, noting that they will be held responsible for any failure in their areas of coverage. This is even as he made it mandatory that all supervisors must own an Android phone for better communication.
He assured that all road sweepers will be properly kitted in due course, tools needed for their job will also be provided to ensure efficiency and qaulity service delivery.
The Head of Administration ASWAMA office Mrs Loretta Obi while giving an overview noted that the workshop has become imperative so as to correct some anomalies being observed.
It was also meant to serve as a veritable avenue for road sweepers to meet and interact with the ASWAMA hierarchy as well as supervisors. She urged road sweepers to be conscious of their safety at all times.
While taking the road sweepers through the nitty gritties of their jobs, the supervisor of Onitsha zone Mrs Ngozi Obidike charged them to sit up and approach their duties with the required passion.
“Be punctual for your duties, sweep your portion before the road gets busy and remain at your duty post till close of work. Do not back approaching vehicles and avoid using short brooms to sweep for your health”.
She made it clear that when the environment is clean, it reduces the spread of sickness and urged them to take their jobs seriously as there is no excuse for failure.
More than four hundred road sweepers gathered for the workshop from different parts of Anambra State.
They were unanimous in their resolve to go back to their duties with renewed vigour. According to them, Anambra State must be clean in line with the goals of Governor Chukwuma Soludo led administration towards achieving a clean, healthy and livable.
