IN an effort to enhance environmental sustainability and promote community cleanliness, the Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Olorogun (Barr.) Jaro Egbo, has spearheaded a large-scale clean-up exercise in the area.
The exercise was targeted at critical areas within Ughelli metropolis.
The initiative tagged “Operation Keep Ughelli North Clean”, focused on the Ughelli main market, Otowodo market and surrounding neighbourhoods. The clean-up operation, which took place, at the weekend, was the day of the state’s monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Egbo in company of council officials, deployed manpower and equipment to address the environmental hazards that had posed health risks to residents.
At the Otowodo market, Egbo supervised the evacuation of a dump site that had been a persistent concern for the local community.
The site, identified as a major health hazard, was cleared of debris, trash, and other pollutants. “This decisive action underscores the council’s commitment to safeguarding public health and improving the quality of life for residents”, Egbo said.
A key component of the exercise involved addressing illegal trading activities in the markets, while traders operating along the tarred roads and walkways of the Ughelli main market and Otowodo market were evicted to ensure free passage for both vehicles and pedestrians.
The council chairman emphasized that maintaining order within the markets was crucial for creating a conducive environment for both traders and shoppers.
He reminded the traders that they had been notified three months earlier to vacate the roads and walkways, adding that, “Times may be hard, but this is no excuse to break the law. Others have the right to free passage.”
He warned that, any continued violation of the rules could lead to the government taking over the affected markets.
The council chairman said, his active participation in the clean-up exercise is a demonstration of his administration’s resolve to make Ughelli a cleaner, greener and more sustainable community.
The initiative, he said provides an opportunity for him and his team to interact with residents, listen to their concerns and educate them on best practices in maintaining a clean and healthy environment.
