The traditional ruler of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe has expressed optimism that Onitsha would regain its lost glory in terms of clean environment.
Igwe Achebe was speaking during the flag off of environmental sanitation exercise for urban cities held at Okosi road by Ukwu Orji Inland Town Onitsha, Onitsha North Local Government Area.
Staff reporter Emengini Osadebe who covered the event reports that the exercise attracted Officials from the Anambra State Waste Management Agency, the Transition Committee Chairmen of Oyi, Idemili North, as well as Onitsha North and South Local Government Areas, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Onitsha Youth Council and Corps members serving in the council area.
Igwe Achebe who was represented by Chief Sam Okey Chidebelu applauded the present administration in the state for choosing to flag off the exercise in Onitsha, describing it as a noble programme and pledged the readiness of Onitsha residents to comply with the state government’s efforts to ensure a clean Anambra.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Engineer Felix Odimegwu said that the aim of the flag off exercise at Onitsha was for the people to take ownership of the sanitation in their respective environment as government has mandated that the state must be clean and charged all Transition Committee Chairmen to ensure that illegal structures erected on drainage channels in various streets and markets are removed.
In their separate speeches, the Chairman Anambra State Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA) Governing board, Dr. Emma Ezenwaji and the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr. Mike Ozoemena thanked the Obi of Onitsha for accepting to flag off the exercise in Onitsha, saying that the Board is developing an eight-year action plan for a clean Anambra and expressed optimism that the agency will leave an indelible mark in the state.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area Mr. Onochie Ozoma said that Onitsha is privileged to be the center of the sanitation flag off and made it clear that if the government wants to get anything right in Anambra, it must start from Onitsha.
Others who spoke at the event include, the Transition Committee Chairman of Oyi Mr. Emmanuel Nweke and his Onitsha South counterpart, Mr. Emeka Orji thanked the Obi of Onitsha for honouring their invitation and pledged to ensure a clean and better Anambra.
Speaking to the ABS in an interview, the Permanent Secretary, Government House Awka, Mrs Ifeoma Ezeaku commended the turnout of people during the exercise and urged Ndi Anambra to rise up to the challenge and equally re-orientate their various communities on how best to dispose their waste in order to achieve the vision of the state government of a clean and better Anambra.
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