The Abia State Government has clarified that the ongoing sanitary inspection of residential areas is not intended as a form of taxation or punishment, but rather to promote clean and healthy environments.
To encourage transparency, the government has introduced stipends for sanitary inspectors, ensuring they perform their duties diligently and discouraging any form of extortion during visits to homes, villages, and communities.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made this known during a press briefing at Government House, Umuahia, on Monday, following the State Executive Council meeting.
According to him, communities will receive at least one week’s notice before any inspection to allow residents ample time to prepare. He explained that the initiative is focused on reducing the spread of diseases linked to poor sanitation and urged the public to cooperate with health authorities.
Kanu also announced the Council’s approval of a state-wide tree-planting campaign, highlighting its environmental and health benefits.
In addition, the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has begun clearing drainage channels in Aba and Umuahia, in response to flooding alerts. The government further appealed to residents to avoid blocking drains with refuse, emphasizing that proper waste disposal is vital for flood prevention.
Other officials present at the briefing included Philemon Ogbonna, Commissioner for Environment; Dr. Eno Jerry-Eze, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission; and Ferdinand Ekeoma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media.