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Abia State’s monthly clean-up exercise in Umuahia drew strong participation on Saturday, with the state government singling out soldiers of the 114 Battalion for praise while cautioning police officers accused of extorting violators.
Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, said the turnout reflected a growing sense of civic responsibility among residents. He described the sight of soldiers cleaning the Express Tower axis as “an inspiring example of patriotism.”
“The compliance level is encouraging,” Ogbonna said. “When you see soldiers putting aside uniforms to sweep their surroundings, it sets a standard for everyone. They deserve commendation.”
But the commissioner warned that misconduct by some policemen undermines the exercise. According to him, officers often arrest sanitation violators only to extort money and release them without applying the prescribed fines, a practice he said robs the state of revenue and weakens enforcement.
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Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, also applauded residents for participating actively. “Cleaning your environment is not just about sanitation; it’s about patriotism and civic duty,” she said.
Meanwhile, a mobile sanitation court in Umuahia convicted 108 offenders, imposing various punishments for violating the exercise, while 13 others were discharged on compassionate grounds.
