Gov. Alex Otti Relaunches House-to-House Sanitary Inspection in Abia, Calls for Environmental Responsibility
In a bold and proactive step towards promoting public health and environmental cleanliness, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has officially relaunched the house-to-house sanitary inspection service, a public health initiative that had long been neglected by previous administrations.
Speaking through his deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, during the official flag-off ceremony, Governor Otti urged all residents of the state to take ownership of their environment, embrace hygienic practices, and rekindle the values of community cleanliness, civic pride, and personal responsibility.
“This is more than just an environmental initiative. It is a return to the fundamental values of public health, personal responsibility, and community hygiene that once defined our great state,” Governor Otti stated.
The Governor assured that his administration will provide adequate resources, training, and tools to equip environmental health officers and ensure the success of the inspection initiative, which is aimed at preventing the outbreak of communicable diseases such as cholera, malaria, and typhoid fever.
He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, market unions, and the media to partner with the government in creating awareness and encouraging compliance with sanitation standards.
“Let us bring back the days when our homes and streets were the envy of the region,” he added.
Delivering the welcome address, Hon. Philemon Ogbonna, the Commissioner for Environment, emphasized that the restoration of sanitary inspections was not just a policy shift, but a decisive leap forward in achieving a healthier and more resilient Abia State.
He lamented the deteriorating state of environmental hygiene across the state, pointing to issues such as indiscriminate waste disposal, overgrown surroundings, stagnant water, and other unhygienic conditions, which have led to a spike in preventable diseases and blocked drainages.
Hon. Ogbonna revealed that environmental health officers would resume routine visits to homes, schools, markets, and public premises, not just to inspect but also to guide and educate citizens on proper sanitation practices.
In their remarks, Mazi Ogbonna Okereke, General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), and Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, applauded Governor Otti for prioritizing cleanliness and public health in his administration’s agenda.
They stressed that sanitary inspectors should approach their roles with professionalism and not for profit, while adhering to global standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In a goodwill message, Sanitarian Obieze Adimuko, President of the Environmental Health Officers’ Association of Nigeria, Abia Chapter, commended Governor Otti’s leadership and acknowledged the relaunch of sanitary inspection as a critical move that will empower health officers, strengthen preventative medicine, and enhance environmental health in the state.
He also praised the Otti administration for ongoing developmental strides, including:
- Construction of new health centers
- Extension of health workers’ retirement age to 65
- Implementation of CONHESS for primary healthcare workers
Sanitarian Adimuko appealed to the Governor to lift the employment freeze on environmental health officers and provide more resources to expand the reach of the initiative.
The reintroduction of house-to-house sanitary inspections marks a significant turning point in Abia State’s efforts to restore cleanliness, promote public health, and build a more responsible citizenry. The event attracted top government officials, environmental experts, and traditional rulers, all of whom pledged their support to ensuring its success.
Governor Otti’s latest move is seen as part of a broader mission to reclaim Abia’s reputation as a clean, orderly, and healthy environment for both residents and investors.
