-From SUNNY A. DAVID:
Over fifty persons have been arrested and tried for defaulting Anambra State environmental laws.
The defaulters were arrested and tried at Magistrate Court, Awka and other mobile courts sitting in different parts of Awka.
The defaulters were arrested during the Saturday statewide monthly sanitation exercise for November.
Those found guilty were either fined or mandated to perform community service, or both.
The November edition of the monthly sanitation exercise was remarkable as enforcement was intensified in many parts of the State and major markets, parks and shopping malls.
Speaking to our correspondent, the Transition Committee Chairman for Awka South Local Government Area, Mr. Thankgod Anagor, said the era of neglecting the environment has gone, as every resident of Anambra State would be held accountable for their environment.
He noted that the success of the November edition of the exercise was as a result of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s determination to ensure that people take responsibility for their environment.
Some persons who joined in the monthly exercise, including Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka; from the Alliance for Progressive and Sustainable Environment, Fumilayo Adeniyi; the Anambra State Coordinator of African Clean-up Initiative, Michael Kelvin; Team Leader for the NYSC Community Development Service, Mr. Victor Okeke and Mrs. Ngozi Nzekwe, commended the commitment of Governor Soludo to reclaiming the environment, and advised Ndi Anambra to take part in it for the betterment of the State.
Some defaulters, including Messers Chukwunonso Nwuzor and Chinedu Okoli, who pleaded for leniency, appreciated the State government for its interest in creating sustainable policies for safer environment.
Meanwhile, the November edition of the monthly sanitation exercise, recorded low at Nnewi.
While monitoring the level of compliance by the residents, our correspondent observed to a large extent, that there was no sanitation exercise within the metropolitan city as all the areas visited were littered with refuse.
However, the Anambra State Joint Enforcement Team, ANJET were seen at strategic locations impounding vehicles of defaulters.
On getting to Nwaanyị Imo Roundabout by Bank Road, our correspondent observed a group of young individuals extorting money from road users before granting them access.
Speaking to our correspondent, the Anambra South Zonal Commander of Operation Clean and Health Anambra, OCHA Brigade, Mr. Emmanuel Obi, maintained their resolve towards achieving a cleaner and healthier Anambra South and Nnewi in particular given the peculiarity of the zone in making Anambra State livable and a prosperous homeland.
He noted that OCHA Brigade as part of ANJET, will continue its sensitization exercise and called on Ndị Anambra, especially Nnewi residents to support the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, by observing the monthly sanitation exercise at will, without using force.
