The Rivers Stat Ministry of Environment has called on the people of the state to make daily sanitation their habit.
The commissioner of Environment, Dr. Nyema E. Weli made this statement during the inspection of the monthly regular sanitation exercise.
The Commissioner visited Rumuodomaya Market, Rumuokoro Roundabout, Rumuokoro Slaughter Market and Oil Mill market all in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. He expressed his disappointment with the traders in Rumuodomaya Market over the sanitary condition and reminded them that the market is their own executive office, and hence should be kept clean for buyers and for themselves so as not to endanger their lives and lives of buyers as they are all special to their individual families and to the society.
He was impressed with the female traders around the Rumuokoro Round-about as they came out enmass for the exercise, and expressed displeasure on the attitude of the men who stood and watched the women instead of joining in the exercise.
At the Rumuokoro Slaughter, the Commissioner was not impressed with the state of the slab, pointing out the dangers the public is exposed to with the spots retaining water on the slab in terms of bacteria which may affect the meat sold there. The chairman of the Slaughter, Alhaji Salami Alani, responded by assuring the Commissioner that they would comply with what he has said and that the challenge they are facing is that of “Obio/Akpor Environmental Boys” coming to collect illegal levies from other traders and allowing them to trade on the road thereby causing obstruction to their customers.
He appealed to the Rivers State Government to come and stop those sellers at the road.
Also in response to the Commissioner’s address at Rumuokoro Slaughter Market, the woman leader of the market, Mrs. Ngozi Opara thanked the Commissioner for the visit and promised that they would make the daily exercise their habit, she also complained of Obio/Akpor Environmental Agents, encouraging street trading by collecting money from the traders and therefore requested that the Commissioner should use his office to put a stop on this action.
Also speaking at the tour was the State Chairman of National Orientation Agency, who said that the government only does a reminder of what we ought to be dong regularly. He further said that our people are not dirty, but that it is an attitude problem. He said that most people feel that the responsibility of keeping their surroundings clean is not theirs. That now bring about the question whether we are dirty people or not. He said that with constant reminder by the government that the orientation would be changed. ###
Elsie Tuwonimi Jumbo
