The Anambra State Capital City, Awka earlier yesterday took a rather more appealing outlook as evidence the Anambra State Executive Committee (ANSEC) on sustainable clean and healthy living environment which comprises of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authoriy (ACTDA), Anambra State Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA), Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra and Dobe Awka Awka Ocha Enforcement Team new strategy is encouraging total compliance as anambra observes it regular monthly sanitation exercise for November 2023.
It was observed that while shops were under lock, traffic restricted, waste being evacuated, the MD ASWAMA, Awka South LGA monitoring and enforcement team as well as other enforcement teams comprising of OCHA Brigade, Dobe Awka Ocha and Environmental health workers among others were at strategic locations to ensure compliance.
Key places visited during the exercise includes, Eze uzu junction (Agu Awka axis), Aroma junction, Eke Oyibo Market Amawbia, Nkwo Amenyi, Ifite Awka Market among others.
Speaking during the exercise, while touring the Capital to monitor the process and ensure proper evacuation of waste, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Of the Anambra State Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA), Mr Mike Ozoemena expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and participation by the residents and encouraged them to sustain the commitment.
He emphasized that a healthy and clean environment is critical to the development of Anambra State, and assured that the exercise will remain a weekly activity in order to achieve the best result.
He pointed out that the monthly sanitation exercise is now recording a very good result due to the committee’s efforts and commitment in ensuring stronger enforcement for total compliance and that the contractors are now up and doing in their respective locations.
He called on those yet to understand the value of a clean environment to key into Dobe Anambra Clean Initiative to help secure the environment and make it healthy for all and encouraged the residents to inculcate a better attitude towards their environment for sustainability and safety
Mr Ozoemena further pointed out the negative impact of improper waste disposal, and advised that people should always use the receptacles provided all around the state for better waste management and added that more could be achieved with more empowerment and support from the state government.
Also speaking, the Transition ransition Committee Chairman of Awka South, Mr Thankgod Anagor, represented by his Deputy, Hon. Ikechukwu Anene said that a clean, green and sustainable Anambra initiative is taking shape in Awka Capital and promised greater commitment to supporting the livable and prosperous Anambra agenda of Governor Chukwuma Soludo led administration.
He commended the waste management and enforcement team for their diligence and dedication and urge them to be more committed especially during the festivity season and also reminded the Awka South residents the need to always use the waste disposal bins available in virtually every street and corner of the State Capital.
On his part, the Commander Dobe Awka Ocha Enforcement Team, Prince Henry Ikechukwu Ndigwe
while commending the state government for their support, maintained that his team is committed to enforcing the sanitation laws and asked residents to either key into the sanitation or face the full wrath of the law.
He noted that compliance is key to achieving the objectives of the exercise and expressed optimism that next month’s exercise will record improvement, as the enforcement team is determined to help in achieving clean and healthy Anambra in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision.
Some defaulters who were penalized for violating the law prohibiting human and vehicular movement during the exercise, Ngozi Okoye, Henry Ugwu and Ifeoma Agbo, pleaded for more reminder, which according to them will help more people to comply and appreciated the state government for its interest in creating sustainable policies for clean, healthier and safe living environment.
