🟢Rt Hon Clinton Amadi (Alaomajijiji), Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie supports the motion alongside other Honourable colleagues.
Accordingly, most of our markets have become eyesores ; you have animal wastes, Human wastes and food wastes littered everywhere, thereby making it impossible for decent people to move around to buy consumable items”.
It is on the above statement therefore as part of its Legislative responsibility to the people of Imo State, the Imo State House of Assembly adopted every Thursday for clean-up exercise in every market in the state.
Moving the Motion titled, “MOTION TO URGE THE GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY SENATOR HOPE UZODIMMA TO MANDATE THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT TO DIRECT THE IMO STATE AMALGAMATED MARKET TRADERS ASSOCIATION (ISAMMATA) TO CARRY OUT CLEAN-UP EXERCISE ON EACH THURSDAY OF EVERY WEEK IN IMO MARKETS”, the Member Representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency, Hon Dr Francis Uzoma Osuoha expressed worry, and indeed, frowned at the level of decay, rot and smelly environment seen at most market areas across the state.
According to the lawmaker, “Most of our markets have become eyesores ; you have animal wastes, Human wastes and food wastes littered everywhere, thereby making it impossible for decent people to move around to buy consumable items”.
The focal point of the Motion bordered on the health challenge posed by the unhygienic oozing odour emanating from the hazardous debris, which if proactive and adequate clean-up exercises are not carried out regularly, may cause diseases and infections. “The place traders display foodstuffs should be kept clean always, in order to avoid rise in epidemic”.
The ebullient lawmaker further added that the regular once in a month sanitation exercise is no longer enough to maintain a healthy market environment, arguing that “we don’t want to have health issues in the state. Therefore, thursdays clean-up exercise will help save the state from epidemic outbreak. It has a lot of benefits, namely : It will stop the spread of viruses. It will stop the rise of diseases. People will have more confidence coming to markets to make their purchases.
Clean-up exercise is being observed every thursday in most major cities in the country. This is why Lagos markets seems to be the cleanest in Nigeria”. He therefore called on his Distinguished Honourable colleagues to support the Motion, so as to protect and save the people of Imo state from imminent but avoidable epidemic.
The Motion which was seconded by the Member Representing Oguta State Constituency, Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, was co-sponsored by the following Honourable lawmakers.
- Hon Engr Dr Bernard Ozoemenam (Ehime Mbano State Constituency).
- Hon Nze Barrister Sir Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre State Constituency).
- Hon Chief Barrister Dominic Ezerioha (Oru-west State Constituency).
- Hon Engr Uche Francis Agabige (Orsu State Constituency).
The following Honourable Members supported the Motion with commendable contributions :
For Rt Hon Chief Clinton Amadi (Alaomajijiji), Member Representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency and Deputy Minority leader : “Cleanliness is next to Godliness. I support this Motion. Imo State was the cleanest state in the country for three consecutive years, from 2007 to 2010. Let us go back to our winning streak by, at least, starting from our markets”.
For Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu, Member Representing Oguta State Constituency : “We need to regularly clean our markets because all of us go there to make purchases. The monthly last Saturday environmental sanitation is not enough “.
For Rt Honourable Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority leader and Member Representing Owerri-west State Constituency : “This is an important Motion. When you visit some of our markets and come back, you will find it very difficult to eat anything bought from there. Our health is more precious and important. I support the Motion”.
For Hon Engr Johnson Duru, Member Representing Ideato State Constituency : “It is a welcome Motion, and it is targeted at improving the health condition of Imo citizens. Government agencies like the Consumer Protection Agency should be involved in ensuring food items sold in the markets are displayed in conducive environment”.
For Hon Chief Engr Sir Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie, Member Representing Mbaitoli State Constituency : “This is a very sound Motion. Using Relief Market Owerri as a point of reference, His Excellency Our Governor has constructed very solid road networks around the market. Unfortunately, traders bring out their wares to display on the roads, abandoning markets shops and free zones, thereby inflicting the environment with debris.
Infact, Douglas road/ Rotibi street and School road are completely blocked by traders, thereby making it impossible for road users to assess the roads, with debris and wastes littering everywhere. Areas where vehicles are to be parked have been taken over by traders. Traders trading on the roads should be penalized”.
For Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha : “I support this Motion. Commonwealth Statistics show there is high rate of mosquitos in the state. Mosquitoes breed in very dirty environments, like our markets. Mosquitoes causes malaria, and there is high rate malaria already in the state. Let us help put a stop to this dirty market menace. Let there be a weekly clean-up exercise in our various markets in the state”.
For Hon Engr Uche Francis Agabige, Member Representing Orsu State Constituency, “what attracted my attention is the need for clean environment. All the major cities in Nigeria observe weekly environmental clean-up exercise. Imo state cannot be different. The wonderful road constructed by the governor along Relief Market road is now an eyesore. I support the Motion”.
For Hon Princewill Amuchie, Member Representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency, “If you remove cleanliness, we will be left with sickness. A cleaning agent or company should be contracted to clean our markets weekly and get paid”.
For Hon Chief Ozioma Bennett Ebonine (Eze Nkwori), Member Representing Njaba State Constituency, “the garbage in the markets is the reason we have erosion disaster in some parts of the state. These markets pay fees to the Waste Management Agency in the state. The Agency should be mandated to do their job”.
For Hon Chief James Uba Esile, Member Representing Onuimo State Constituency, “we need fresh air in the state. A polluted environment won’t give you fresh air. We save money by cleaning up our environment. When our markets are cleaned up weekly, we save more money. It is cheaper to maintain weekly clean-up exercise in our markets than to manage epidemic outbreak caused by dirty market environment”. I support the Motion.
For Hon Dr Barrister Ikenna Ihezuo, Member Representing Orlu State Constituency, “it is a laudable Motion. Some of our markets are becoming something else. Douglas road, in particular, has become a smelly-dirty environment. Thursdays won’t even be enough to clean up our markets. Let it be everyday until we achieve our target of clean environment, after which we will main the weekly clean-up exercise being proposed. The Ministry of Environment should provide waste bins removers in our various markets”
For Hon Chief Samuel Ogbunikpa, Member Representing Okigwe State Constituency and Deputy Majority leader, “I support the Motion. Let it be replicated in all the Markets in the State, and not just in state capital. It has become an embarrassing situation to observe debris littered in our various markets. Let us save Imo citizens from any outbreak of infectious diseases”.
For Hon Chief Sir Barrister Sam Ikechukwu Osuji, Member Representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency, “This Motion is very apt , and I am happy we are thinking in this direction. When a trader sells his goods in a filthy environment, especially consumables, the chances are that we will face health challenge, because all of us buy from the same market. Let us not over flog this Motion. It means well for us and the state. It will be difficult to site areas in Europe and America where their markets are filthy. I commend the Chief sponsor of this Motion”.
For Hon Engr Dr Bernard Ozoemenam, “I am a co-sponsor of the Motion. The ENTRACO, ISWAMA and the Ministry of Environment should be directed to do the needful. We need a healthy environment to actualize our objectives in the state”.
For Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu, Member Representing Ezinihitte Mbaise State Constituency, “the level of air pollution in the state, especially, in our various markets is very high. I spend more money to detoxify environment. Malaria disease is very high in the state, and it is as a result of not having a clean environment. Our markets are worse because they are filthy. I thrust His Excellency will harken to our clarion call and come to the rescue”.
After listening to the contributions of the Honourable Members in support of the Motion, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, Mr Speaker Ruled as follows :
“Be It Resolved by this Honourable House to urge the Governor of Imo State to direct the Ministry of Environment to mandate the Imo State Amalgamated Traders Association (ISAMMATA) to ensure that every Thursday between 7am and 10am is set aside for weekly clean-up exercise in all markets in Imo State, in order to maintain a clean and healthy environment for the ultimate good of the entire Imo State citizens”.
Thereafter, Mr speaker directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution of the House to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Imo State.
Also, A Bill for a Law to Provide for Skill Acquisition and Craftsmanship as Mandatory Course in all Primary and Secondary Schools and for Establishment of Skill Acquisition and Craftsmanship Centre in Tertiary Institution in Imo State and other related matters passed its first reading, and Chiefly sponsored by Hon Engr Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu and co-sponsored by Hon Barrister Dominic Ezerioha, Hon Chief Sam Otuibe, Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Hon Engr Uche Francis Agabige, Hon Prince Obinna Egu, Rt Hon Barrister Kennedy Ibeh and Hon Dr Ikenna Ihezuo.
The House Adjourned Sitting to the 30th of January 2024.
Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha reports from IMHA Owerri.
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