Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Aham Uko has expressed the determination of the state government to rapidly transform the environmental landscape of the state.

Uko made this known while addressing members of the Seventh Day Adventists Youth Ministry, Abia North Central Conference, who embarked on voluntary cleaning and clearing of roads at Umuahia.

Addressing the youths, led by Elder Ubani Ezebunwa and Elder Sampson Agomuo, the Commissioner informed newsmen that his Ministry would soon embark on construction of parks and gardens in some strategic locations across the state to provide good leisure facilities for the people of the state, and thanked the youths for demonstrating patriotism and zeal in response to the Biblical saying that “cleanliness is next to godliness.”

“Abia youths are godly and a beacon of hope to the state. We are proud of them for this and other initiatives they have undertaken to support the administration of Governor Ikpeazu. Our Ministry will support their efforts and sustain the clean environment of the state under the leadership of Dr. (Okezie) Ikpeazu.

“Governor Ikpeazu is very passionate about our environment. That accounts for why he has partnered with the World Bank through NEWMAP (Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project), for environmental re-mediation of erosion affected locations through the length and breadth of Abia State. He intends to comprehensively deal with the flood situation in Aba, using underground tunnels to create a lasting solution to the flooding witnessed in Aba.

“Our Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu shall, through the Ministry of Environment, introduce the planting of trees and flowers to beautify our environment, while efforts shall be made to create parks and gardens at some strategic locations.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu applauded the youths for keying into the Ikpeazu administration's agenda of developing a clean and green Abia State.

Okiyi used the opportunity to announce that Governor Ikpeazu has directed that all sanitary inspectors be deployed to the streets with mobile courts to enforce sanitation rules and maintain a clean and sanitary environment. He called on other religious organisations to emulate the youths of Seventh Day Adventist Church and support the government to deliver on the enablers of the five pillars of the Ikpeazu administration.

According to him, “this government belongs to the people of Abia State and we must all, as individuals and groups, own the growth and development of our state by contributing our quota to improve the quality of life we enjoy. If we support Governor Ikpeazu by doing little things like cleaning our homes and properly disposing wastes, we will collectively enjoy higher standard of living and help achieve the objectives of Governor Ikpeazu to spread prosperity in Abia State. The era of sanitary inspectors sitting in offices to wait for the next salary is over. They will be provided with the resources they need to go to the streets where they are needed and help keep Abia clean and safe.”

Earlier, the leader of the youth team, Elder Ubani Ezebunwa, stated that his group embarked on the clean up exercise to support the focused efforts of Governor Ikpeazu to keep Umuahia clean and praised the leadership of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) for providing vehicular support to his team and leading the way in keeping the state clean.

“We must applaud the Governor for what he has done to ensure that Umuahia is clean and we want to also express our appreciation to the leadership of ASEPA for the good work they are doing. Our coming out today is to support them and the Government of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to continue to keep Abia clean and we hope to make this more regular.”

The youth team cleaned the area inside and around Government House, Umuahia as well as Bank Road and Akanu Ibiam Way.

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