By Oyem Jonathan
The Executive Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council, Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike , has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to environmental sanitation as a critical pillar of public health, ecological sustainability, and community resilience, assuring residents that investments in environmental management will continue to receive priority attention.
Speaking during the July edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ogwashi Uku on Saturday through the Vice Chairman, Hon. Patricia Adolue, the Chairman emphasized that environmental sanitation remains one of the most effective preventive public health strategies for reducing disease burden, mitigating flood risks, and promoting healthier communities.
He observed that while the devastating flooding currently witnessed in several parts of Nigeria and across the globe is largely attributable to the growing impact of climate change and extreme weather events, indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels, and poor environmental practices often aggravate the severity of such disasters at the community level.
Consequently, Hon. Chukwunwike appealed to residents to embrace environmental sanitation as a continuous civic responsibility by keeping their surroundings clean, desilting blocked drainages, removing overgrown vegetation, and ensuring proper waste disposal in order to improve environmental quality, strengthen climate resilience, and safeguard public health.
The Chairman commended the Supervisory Councilor for Environment, Hon. Kelly Edozie, and the Head of Department of Environment, Comrade Sanitarian Augustine Eboji, for their effective coordination of the sanitation exercise and the successful mobilization of environmental health officers, affiliate stakeholders, mobile court officials, security agencies, political office holders, and community volunteers whose collaborative efforts ensured a hitch free exercise.
He called for stronger inter-agency collaboration and sustained community participation, stressing that environmental governance can only achieve lasting success when government institutions and citizens work together in protecting the ecosystem.
Hon. Chukwunwike further urged residents of Ogwashi Uku not to undermine the remarkable gains recorded during previous sanitation exercises but to institutionalize environmental cleanliness as a way of life capable of improving the health, safety, and aesthetic value of the community.
The sanitation exercise recorded an impressive level of compliance across major locations including Kwale Junction, Post Office Junction, Central Motor Park, and Afor Market. The exercise witnessed widespread adherence to sanitation regulations, with only minimal cases of violations recorded, an indication of increasing public awareness and behavioral change towards environmental responsibility.
Also speaking, the Council Secretary, Hon. Prince Tony Ebube, and the Supervisory Councilor for Environment, Hon. Kelly Edozie, applauded residents for their impressive compliance, noting that environmental sanitation is gradually becoming an entrenched culture among the people of Ogwashi Uku.
They equally praised Chukwunwike for his visionary leadership and sustained investment in environmental health, public safety, and the overall well-being of the people of Aniocha South, describing his administration as one that recognizes that a healthy environment remains the foundation for sustainable development.
The exercise was attended by the Leader of the Legislative Arm, Hon. Leonard Nzemeke, Councillors, Supervisory Councillors, political appointees, environmental health personnel, security agencies, and other stakeholders who demonstrated collective commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and protecting public health across Aniocha South Local Government Area.
