By Nkeiruka Innocent Ekeh
Residents of Odume, Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government Area, have largely complied with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive on environmental sanitation by participating in the statewide exercise to keep Anambra clean.
Many residents came out early to clear drains, sweep their surroundings and dispose of refuse properly, describing the exercise as beneficial to public health and environmental sustainability within their community.
A resident, Mr. Paul Nweze, commended the initiative, stating that maintaining a clean environment should be a personal responsibility rather than an obligation enforced by government directives.
Mr. Nweze observed that many people often neglect environmental hygiene until compelled by government policies, stressing that regular sanitation should become a daily culture among residents.
Another resident, Mr. Kosi Umeh, welcomed the governor’s directive despite participating in the previous sanitation exercise, noting that sustained environmental cleanliness requires consistent public commitment.
He regretted that many residents failed to take the previous sanitation exercise seriously, urging citizens to embrace cleanliness as a civic duty that promotes healthier and safer communities.
The exercise also revealed that while many complied fully, some traders reportedly opened their shops and remained watchful for enforcement teams instead of participating in the sanitation exercise.
Others reportedly stayed indoors and refrained from opening their businesses in obedience to the restriction on movement but failed to clean their surroundings as expected during the exercise.
The residents therefore called for sustained public enlightenment and stricter enforcement to encourage full compliance with Governor Soludo’s environmental sanitation policy aimed at building a cleaner, healthier and more livable Anambra State.
Nkeiru is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
