The monthly environmental clean-up exercise in Abia State for July witnessed a significant turnout, with a majority of Umuahia residents and those in the surrounding areas actively participating.

Unlike the past, many motor parks, shops, markets, and households in the State capital, Umuahia, were cleaned by their occupants, and waste collected from gutters was carted away by trucks provided by the Abia State government.

During the 7 to 10 am event, officials from the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) cleared refuse dumps around the city. However, the situation at the Umuahia North LGA secretariat was different, as the local government council environment appeared dirty, overgrown with grass, and had abandoned refuse dumps.

After inspecting the clean-up, the Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philomen Ogbonna, warned that in the future, motor parks, markets, or shopping complexes in the state may be sealed if their occupants fail to keep them clean, especially on environmental days. He also announced plans to open all blocked drains in the state to ensure the free flow of water and prevent erosion.

In addition to this, the Chief of Staff to Governor Alex Otti, Caleb Ajagba, who led other top government functionaries, addressed the residents of Isi gate Umuahia and Aba motor park.

He emphasized that national and foreign investors are not interested in investing their money in dirty cities. Governor Alex Otti aims to change the previous dirty outlook of Umuahia, leading him to declare a state of emergency on the filthy environment in Abia upon assuming office.

“We are not here to harass you but we are here to sensitize you on why you should help the new administration in the state to succeed in the area of cleanliness.

“By December this year, you people will see and testify about a new Umuahia,” he said.