FUND YOUR ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT – Asiuwhu Urges Delta Council Chairmen

By Frederick Odu March 13, 2023

Local Government Councils in Delta state have been reminded that environmental sanitation is their constitutional responsibility which necessitated the existence of Environment departments in the Councils.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Godspower Asiuwhu, who drew the attention of the Local Government Chairmen to this essential assignment at an interactive session with journalists in Asaba, urged them to ensure that their Environment departments were well funded.

This, he said, was necessary to ensure prompt and regular evacuation of waste from the streets and markets, especially after environmental sanitation exercises and desilting of drains.

Asiuwhu stated that his Ministry had embarked on sensitization and advocacy in the media, markets and house to house basis to increase the awareness of residents on environmental issues, pointing out that the greater involvement of residents in environmental sanitation had resulted in increased generation of waste along the roads, on the streets and markets, particularly in urban areas, which the Councils must promptly evacuate.

The Environment Commissioner said it was also necessary for the Councils to have their refuse dump sites and cemeteries, pledging to collaborate with them in that regard, while commending Uvwie and Aniocha South Local Governments for taking the lead in setting up the facilities.

He called on residents of the state to take responsibility for the cleaning of their environment, explaining that any dirty place 20 meters away from an apartment should be cleaned by the owner or occupants.

Asiuwhu said the every Thursday sanitation exercise in Asaba markets had come to stay and had become more effective within the specified period of 7am to 10am, just as the state monthly sanitation exercise was no longer a mere ritual, but a serious business.