MEGA CLEAN–UP CONTINUES IN MARKETS WITHIN BENIN METROPOLIS
The Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Arc Joshua Omokhodion, has reiterated the need for citizens to take ownership of their environment to ensure its sustainability.
Arc Omokhodion made this known in Benin City during the Monday Sanitation exercise carried out by the Ministry in collaboration with Edo State Waste Management Board and the three Local Government Councils in Benin metropolis.
The Commissioner, who frowned at the incessant dumping of refuse in unauthorized places, noted that Government has put measures in place to ensure the State is clean and healthy, adding that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s mantra is to bequeath an environment that is safe, clean and healthy for its residents.
He said that despite a series of sensitization and warnings against the dangers of indiscriminate dumping of waste, residents still dump waste in gutters and moats, while refusing to clean their homes and surrounding. He, however, warned that an enforcement team which has been set up by the State Government will be apprehending residents who do not adhere to the laws on environment, and will be arraigned before a Mobile Court for prosecution.
According to the Commissioner, ‘’There is no public holiday for cleaning; we still have to come out to clean and supervise this sanitation which must be carried out every day because we generate waste every day, especially at the market and its environs.’’
Arc. Omokhodion urged them to join hands with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration to make Edo State the cleanest and the most beautiful state in the Country, by cleaning and greening their environment.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr. Charles Imarhiagbe, expressed dissatisfaction with the level of compliance by most traders, adding that it is both the responsibility of the Government and its citizens to keep the environment clean, while encouraging them to participate in the weekly clean-up exercise.
Other areas where the clean-up exercise was carried out include New Benin Market, Lagos Street, Ibiwe Street, Forestry Road, Oregbeni Market, Ekiosa Market, amongst others.
It could be recalled that the Monday Market Sanitation Exercise is part of the ongoing sanitation programme tagged ‘Mega Clean Up’ launched by the Ministry in collaboration with the 18 Local Government Councils in the State.
Source: Evelyn Unuigbe and Sarah Orunmwense
Media Officers
Ministry of Environment and Sustainability
