The Abia State government has revived sanitary inspection services across its 17 local government areas as part of the Keep Abia Clean Initiative, a programme designed to make the state the cleanest in Nigeria.
Speaking at a media parley in Government House, Umuahia, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the initiative, reintroduced in August 2025, had already achieved measurable results. He disclosed that environmental health officers inspected 4,500 premises across 85 communities in August alone.
Kanu cautioned inspectors against extortion, stressing that only established environmental fines must be enforced. To prevent malpractice, he added that imprest had been approved for environmental health officers in all 17 LGAs to support their operations.
“The government will not be kind to any sanitary inspector who falls short of the rules,” he warned.
The commissioner also announced a state-wide tree-planting campaign approved by the State Executive Council, describing it as part of Abia’s green initiative. According to him, tree planting will improve climatic conditions, reduce erosion and flooding, and reposition the state as a modern, sustainable hub.
On flood control, Kanu said the government was intensifying efforts to clear blocked drains in Aba and Umuahia in line with NIMET’s early flood alerts. He urged residents to keep waterways free of refuse.
Kanu further revealed that Abia would join the rest of the world on September 25 to celebrate World Cleanup Day. The Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), he noted, was already partnering with stakeholders to ensure a successful exercise.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, said sanitary inspection had been dormant for years but was restored by the present administration. He appealed to communities, traditional rulers, and village heads to actively support the campaign.
“The objective of the government is not revenue generation but a clean environment. Sanitary inspectors must carry out their duties with professionalism,” Ogbonna said.
Also contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said the initiative was in the interest of the public, particularly rural dwellers.
“Given the regular outbreaks of diseases these days, sanitary inspection is for everyone’s benefit. Government has given the initiative a human face, ensuring no one has grounds to exploit the people,” he said.
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