“Intensify Sanitation Enforcement, Monitoring”, Commissioner Charges Health Officer

The Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, has directed Environmental Health Officers across the state to intensify sanitation enforcement, environmental monitoring and public health protection.

Ogbonna gave the directive on Thursday during a meeting with Environmental Health Officers in the Aba Zone at Girls Secondary School, Abayi, Aba.

The meeting was convened to review activities of the officers, popularly known as “Ndi Ole-Ala”, since the restoration of their house-to-house environmental health services on June 26, 2025.

The Commissioner commended the officers for their efforts and said the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, remains committed to supporting them through the regular provision of monthly imprest to facilitate service delivery.

He said the restoration of house-to-house services was designed to strengthen sanitation monitoring and encourage residents to maintain healthy environmental practices.

Ogbonna directed officers to urgently inspect abattoirs across Abia State and ensure butchers stop using vehicle tyres to roast animal skin, popularly known as “kanda.”

“Burning animal skin with tyres poses serious public health risks,” he warned, and called for strict enforcement of environmental and health standards at abattoirs.

The Commissioner also directed officers to enforce the government’s order for sand miners and dredgers operating at Umuigwe and Uratta communities in Osisioma LGA to vacate the areas, stating that the Aba Master Plan does not permit such activities there.

He further urged them to intensify public sensitisation on proper sanitation practices and educate residents on maintaining clean surroundings.

Residents were appealed to cooperate with Environmental Health Officers and desist from activities that undermine the house-to-house services.

Ogbonna called for greater collaboration between Environmental Health Officers, government agencies and other stakeholders to achieve the administration’s vision of making Abia one of the cleanest states in Nigeria.

Earlier, the State President of EHOAN, Dr. Obieze Odimuko, and the State Treasurer, Mrs. Onyinyechi Nwigwe, presented a report of activities.

They disclosed that since the restoration of services, officers had:
Visited 1,382 villages and 79,955 premises
– Served 50,236 abatement notices
– Recorded 22,143 cases of compliance
– Prosecuted 2,559 defaulters

They said collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies had boosted enforcement across the state.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Chidozie Oriuwa, and Heads of Department of Environmental Health Services from various LGAs.