The Anambra State Ministry of Environment has commended residents of the State for cleaning up the state after violence that erupted following the hijack of the ENDSARS peaceful protest by suspected hoodlums.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Emma Okafor gave the commendation when staff of the Ministry monitored this month’s sanitation exercise during which they shared fliers, T-shirts and fez caps to encourage and enlighten the people in Awka.

Correspondent Chibuzo Obidike who covered the exercise reports that October 2020 will be remembered as one of the most tragic times in Nigeria which saw many youths rise against police brutality before it was hijacked by hoodlums who used the opportunity to cause chaos and wreck havoc to the environment by burning tires while looting public and private property.

The action prompted the state Ministry of Environment to initiate and mapped out plans with stakeholders in all Communities to ensure full recovery of the environment from the ugly menace.

Dr. Okafor said that despite the interventions by the State Ministry of Environment, the ministry still maintained routine enforcement of the monthly sanitation exercise to ensure that all residents and visitors enjoy the peace and tranquility that exist in the state and appealed to more stakeholders to make it a point of duty to participate in their respective localities.

The Permanent Secretary commended people for their individual and collective efforts in cleaning up their communities and cities, noting that distribution of gift items to residents who joined in the monthly sanitation exercise was a way to spur them to be the agents of change in their areas of work and localities.

In their separate reactions, Chidiebele Ugbaja and Mrs. Gloria Nwabu from Umuokpu Awka commended the tireless efforts of the Ministry’s staff who took it upon themselves to ensure that people are encouraged to care for their surroundings through sensitizations and reminded the
people of the need to imbibe a culture of cleaner environment at all times in order to maintain a healthy living.

For Goodness Okwuolisa and Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Egbe, the initiative of appreciating hard working members of the public will go a long in making the exercise fun and competitive to promote and encourage awareness creation