Corp members embark on operation clean environment in Anambra

“The clean person is not the one that runs away from dirt but one who takes time and efforts to tidy up a dirty environment” –Abdulkadir Ola­tunji. The message in the quote stirred up the passion in two members of NYSC Batch B, 2015, serving in Anambra State, who donated incinera­tors to the Anambra State government and also initiated the Anambra Urban Sanitation Movement as part of their contributions to ensuring safe, clean and healthy Anambra, reports MOKWUGWO SOLOMON.

Two Batch “B” corps members serving in Anambra State, Akor Faith, AN/15B/1765, from Kogi State, serving with the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Awka and Ayeh Kennedy, AN/15B/0492, from Imo State, serving with St. John of God Secondary School, Awka, have donated six incinerators to the state government and also initi­ated the Urban Sanitation Movement as their own contribution towards clean and healthy Anambra State.

The project, powered by the State Ministry of Environment, Crunch­es and ASWAMA, was commissioned at the Awka South council headquarters, Awka, on Thursday, July 21, 2016.

Speaking on what in­formed their decision to in­itiate the project, the corps members said that “the purpose of the project is to inculcate waste manage­ment habit in the people of Awka, improve the cleanli­ness of Awka city through promotion of proper waste management, reduce inci­dence of illness caused by poor waste management in Awka metropolis as well as create a business-friendly environment for investors.

“The knowledge on benefits of clean environ­ment and dangers of dirty environment that will be passed on the citizens of the state during the sani­tation awareness visit to schools and the Waste to Wealth Conference as well as the example to be shown during the street clean-up exercises will help to inculcate waste manage­ment habit in the people of Awka, such that cleanliness is maintained even after the execution of the project.

“Cleanliness is every­one’s business. Let us join hands and together, achieve the Anambra we desire”.

Speaking at the event, the Hon. Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Ifeany­ichukwu Ejikeme, PhD, represented by his Personal Assistant, Sir Godwin Am­aku, expressed happiness over the steps taken by the two corps members to­wards improving their en­vironment.

He urged other corps members serving in the state to emulate same, as, according to him, clean and safe Anambra State is the responsibility of all.

In her remarks, the As­sistant Director, Corps Welfare and Health Ser­vices, Mrs Chinyere Obi­digbo, who represented the State Coordinator, NYSC, Mrs Isioma Odig­we, commended the corps members for leaving their steps on the sand of times by initiating the project.

The chairman of Awka South LGA, Hon. Az­ubuike Iloh, represented by the Head of Service of the local government, Dr. Nnamdi Nwadiogbu, praised the corps mem­bers and promised that the council would sup­port corps members that aspire to impact posi­tively on the council area.

The Urban Develop­ment Movement Project kicked off at the Awka South LG Secretariat, ran through the UNIZIK junc­tion, covering drainages, streets, schools and shops.

The event which fea­tured road show by corps members serving in the capital city was also wit­nessed by Mr. Casmir Anyanwu, Head of Envi­ronmental Conservation Unit, NESREA, as well as Mr. Otuonye Chukwudi, member, Policy and Plan­ning Unit, National En­vironmental Sanitation and Regulations Enforce­ment Agency, NESREA.