ABIA RESIDENTS DEMAND EMPLOYMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTION OFFICERS

REPORTER: UZOMA NWANKWO

Some residents of Abia State have made case for proper engagement of the services of Environmental Inspection Officers for the promotion of hygiene in various communities.

They made the call while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Umuahia on ways to address environmental pollution and enhance hygiene.

One of them, Mr. Miracle Ifeanyi, explained that the routine visit of inspection officers to various communities would enhance proper enlightenment to the people as it concerned environmental issues.

He noted that some residents had engaged in indiscriminate erection of structures on waterways, sinking of boreholes and waste disposal, pointing out that the practice had contributed to the high level of environmental pollution being witnessed in the area.

For his part, Mr. Emmanuel Emeka, alleged that many homes in the rural communities did not have good toilet facilities, hence the practice of open defecation.

He noted that regular checks by environmental health officers would help to stem the practice.

Reacting to the development, the Head of Department, Environmental Health, Umuahia South Health Authority, Apumiri Ubakala, Mr. Ejike Obi, said the department still carried out the services of inspection but expressed regret that population had affected the work of health inspection officers.

Mr. Obi explained that there was the urgent need for the employment of more environmental health officers to meet the demand of the teeming population and enhance proper environmental cleanliness.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU