Abia Govt Warns Market Leaders Over Poor Compliance With Sanitation Exercise

Abia Govt Warns Market Leaders Over Poor Compliance With Sanitation Exercise

The Abia State Government has issued a stern warning to market leaders over declining compliance with the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise, indicating that tougher enforcement measures will be applied against defaulters.

The warning followed the first sanitation exercise of the year held on Saturday, during which government officials observed uneven compliance across major markets in Umuahia, particularly Orie Ugba and Ubani markets.

Traders in several locations were reportedly seen conducting business during restricted sanitation hours, despite repeated directives to shut shops and participate in environmental clean-up activities.

Speaking to journalists after monitoring the exercise, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, who represented the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, said the government would no longer tolerate negligence by market leadership

Oriuwa accused market leaders of failing in their responsibility to mobilise traders for sanitation and to promptly report environmental hazards, including refuse build-up within market premises. He warned that sanctions contained in the Abia State Basic Environmental Law would be enforced against offenders.

The commissioner specifically faulted the leadership of Orie Ugba market for failing to notify the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) about a large accumulation of waste discovered during the exercise.
“We are not asking market leaders to evacuate refuse using their personal resources,”

Oriuwa said. “Their responsibility is to inform the appropriate government agencies so that action can be taken. Failure to do so undermines efforts to maintain a healthy environment.”
Despite the lapses recorded in some markets, the commissioner commended residents across the state for largely complying with the sanitation directive, noting an improvement compared with previous exercises. He expressed optimism that compliance would continue to improve in the months ahead.

Also speaking, the Deputy General Manager of ASEPA for the Umuahia zone, Mr. Catechist Ambrose Jonah, described the exercise as a positive start to the year. However, he attributed poor compliance among traders to weak enforcement by market leaders.

Jonah said ASEPA would intensify engagement with market leadership and continue the distribution of waste receptacles across the metropolis to curb indiscriminate disposal of refuse.

The Chairman House  Committee on Environment and member representing Ohafia South State Constituency, Mr. Kalu Mba Nwoke, expressed concern over the conduct of traders and market leaders at Orie Ugba and Ubani markets, noting that their actions were undermining the state’s environmental health goals

While acknowledging that poor road access remains a challenge at Ubani market, Mba Nwoke said the state government was aware of the situation and expressed confidence that Governor Alex Otti would address the issue.

During the exercise, enforcement officers arrested 50 defaulters. Twelve were later released after verification, while 38 others were prosecuted in accordance with the state’s environmental laws.

Government officials, including the commissioner and the lawmaker, addressed traders at Isigate, Orie Ugba and Ubani markets, as well as tricycle operators in the Ubani axis, urging them to support the administration’s clean and green agenda. They described environmental sanitation as a shared civic responsibility.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Mrs. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, also commended residents for their cooperation and encouraged sustained public participation in future sanitation exercises.