…..As PS, DTS Ministry of Environment Dr. Mrs Minnie Oseji, says offenders to be punished in line with Sanitation Laws.
By Victor Bieni, Asaba
As part of efforts to meet the United Nations, UN agenda 2030 towards the fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on proper waste disposal, clean and sustainable environment, The Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Environment, Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji has kick-started an aggressive sensitisation campaign in Asaba metropolitan cities such as Okwe and Cable Point Wards of Oshimili South Local Government Area.
The media learnt this today being on Monday, 21st of June, 2021when she led a team of Officers from the Ministry of Environment, Waste Management Board as well as the State Task Force on Environment, then visited the Okwe Market, General Hospital Okwe-Asaba, Cable Point Market as well as Primary Health Centre Cable Point.
Market men and women were sensitised on the need to bag their waste, store them in refuse bins and subscribe to Private Sector Participants (PSP) to cart them away to approved dumpsites.
The sensitisation involved distribution of fliers to press home the messages as well as playing of audio jingles in English and Pidgin using a mobile Public Address System. Those who left their waste in drains for collection were asked to remove them.
The media also observed that that a number of unlicensed waste collectors carting away waste with wheel barrows were apprehended by the Delta Environment PS, and the offenders asked to identify the illegal dump sites they were using.
Dr. Mrs Minnie Oseji said: “No arrest of offenders were to be made but subsequently, appropriate penalties will be meted out to those who fall foul of sanitation laws”.
The Permanent Secretary cum globally acclaimed medical expert during the visit, she enjoined the Medical Director in General Hospital Okwe to expedite action on the use of colour coded bags for storing the health care waste before final disposal and use appropriate sharp boxes for disposal of needles.
Speaking further during the sensitisation exercise, she also admonished the Community Health Worker in Cable Point Health to bag the health facility waste before putting in the pit dug for burning and burying.