By Daniel-Nwosu Nohunwan Lucy
Edo State’s monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise has recorded remarkable compliance in the Edo Central Senatorial District, particularly in Esan North East and Esan South East Local Government Areas, with a 75% adherence rate observed.
This was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe, during an on-the-spot assessment of the July sanitation exercise held on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Addressing journalists during the inspection, Dr. Eseigbe commended residents for heeding government directives on environmental hygiene. He described the 75% compliance rate as a promising indicator of growing civic responsibility and environmental consciousness among citizens. However, he noted that sustaining and improving this momentum would require a strategic boost in manpower.
“We are impressed with the level of awareness and participation,” the Commissioner stated. “But to maintain and improve on this, we need to boost the number of personnel dedicated to enforcement and monitoring.”
To this end, Dr. Eseigbe revealed that the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the employment of additional Environmental Health Officers to strengthen enforcement and sustain gains made in environmental sanitation.
The Commissioner also urged Local Government Chairmen to intensify sensitization efforts, particularly in rural communities, by deploying diverse communication channels to effectively disseminate information and ensure widespread engagement. He further appreciated the role of security agencies and enforcement teams whose presence ensured compliance with the sanitation directives.
In support of the State Government’s efforts, the Chairman, ALGON and Esan Central Local Government Area, Hon. Kelvin Iyere, announced the formation of an Environmental Task Force Team to monitor and enforce sanitation activities across the area. He also disclosed that waste evacuation would now occur weekly as part of proactive flood control and hygiene improvement measures.
In a similar vein, the Chairman of Esan South East LGA, Hon. Edoh Moses, and his counterpart from Esan North East, Hon. Paul Akhere Uhomesili, spoke on strategic steps taken to support the sanitation drive. These include the deployment of payloaders for waste evacuation, robust public awareness campaigns, and the establishment of a mobile court to promptly prosecute offenders under the extant environmental laws.
The growing success of the monthly exercise was echoed by residents who applauded the efforts of Edo State Government. Expressing satisfaction with the monthly exercise, Mr. Christopher Calistus, a native of Uromi commended the Edo State Government for its proactive stance on sanitation. “I’m very satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he said. “The government’s commitment is commendable. I encourage them to sustain this momentum. I also pray for continued success for the Okpebholo-led administration.”
