Ebonyi To Re-Introduce Sanitary Inspectors

The Ebonyi State Government says it would re-introduce sanitary inspectors to achieve environmental cleanliness, especially in the rural areas.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Celestine Nwali, stated this last Tuesday, in Abakaliki at a 3-day seminar for administrators and health workers in the state’s local government system.

Nwali, who was represented by the chairman of the State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Anthony Nwigberi,  said the inspectors would help in restoring the past strides recorded in environmental cleanliness in the areas.

“There are several environmental challenges recorded in these areas such as poor toilet facilities, filthy surroundings in private and public places. “The inspectors will enforce environmental regulations which would compel the citizens to keep their surroundings clean as was done in the past,” he said.

Nwali urged top ranking health personnel in the 13 local governments and 64 Development Centres to assist in reviving the sanitary conditions of the areas.

“The attitudinal change policy of the government was aimed at changing the mindset of individuals on flouting laid down regulations, as this affects the environment sector,” he said.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Martin Elechi on Attitudinal Change, Mr Ken Uhuo, said that poor implementation of the existing state environmental laws was the greatest challenge to the realisation of clean environment.

Uhuo said the state environmental laws which became operational in April 2012 had only witnessed visible implementation in the state capital.

“The rural areas are still lagging behind in this respect, as the objective could only be achieved with cooperation of relevant stakeholders in the 13 local government areas of the state,” he said.

Uhuo said that the workshop was aimed at drawing the attention of critical operators and environment managers to the necessity of working harder to make the environment healthier.

“There is need for you as Heads of Departments, Supervisors of Health, Environmental Health Officers and Task force members, to develop positive attitudes that would enable you perform this task creditably. “The guiding principles of the Attitudinal Change Campaign in the state is anchored on the tenets of doing things right, as this imposes a responsibility on you to be fair and just in the discharge of your duties,” he added.