INCLUSIVE: Abia Government Reinforces Sanitary Inspection Drive, Provides Full Financial Backing to Prevent Exploitation of Residents

The Abia State Government has restated its determination to safeguard public health through the reintroduced sanitary inspection exercise, assuring residents that the initiative is fully funded by the state to forestall any form of exploitation.

The assurance came as the General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) and the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, emphasized that the government has made adequate financial provisions for the exercise. They stressed that no resident will be unfairly levied or subjected to extortion in the course of the inspections.

The sanitary inspection programme, which has already covered 4,500 premises across 85 communities in August, is designed to improve hygiene standards and prevent outbreaks of preventable diseases. Environmental Health Officers will be carrying out door-to-door checks across all 17 local government areas, with strict instructions to enforce only established environmental default fines where necessary.

The administration of Governor Alex Otti considers a healthy environment a cornerstone of good governance and is mobilizing all relevant agencies to ensure the success of the exercise. Beyond enforcement, the government is appealing to households, communities, and businesses to adopt proper hygiene practices, thereby complementing state-wide efforts to keep Abia clean.

By underwriting the financial responsibility of the inspection exercise, the state is not only protecting its citizens from health risks but also from the burden of illegal levies and undue demands. This step reflects the government’s broader vision of transparency, accountability, and service-driven governance that prioritizes the welfare of its people.