Find below my expected line of action as it affects our environment. AGENDUM 1 - ENVIROMENTAL SANITATION/BEAUTIFICATION There is an old adage which says; “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. I have thought deep about the name ascribed to our LGA “OSHIMILI” – meaning “BIG RIVER”. This name by extension goes to prove that we are surrounded by water. More reason why we are neat and decent people. Pondering therefore, I found a clue on why the prestigious Akwa Ocha became our traditional regalia, bearing semblance to the fact that all materials needed for cleanliness such as Mmili, Okakpa, Aziza, Ncha–ude, etc, abound in our land. To me, sanitation in Oshimili environ is part and parcel of our people and can be regarded as part of our customs. It is, therefore, a source of great worry to me and definitely, I believe, to all citizens of Oshimili South that this well cherished custom is fast becoming history. This no doubt, maybe associated to over population and urbanization. In my thinking, overpopulation and urbanization are to be matched with doubled efforts in order to retain our long known history. I have therefore resolved to take environmental sanitation/beautification as a focal programme of my administration. In trying to achieve this, we shall use two methods which I have tagged, the Ancient and Modern Methods of Environmental Sanitation. These methods (Ancient & Modern) are to be applied mutatis mutandis, amongst the indigenous people and strangers as well. Both methods are set out as follows: The Ancient Method: My administration shall encourage and enforce the observance of the early morning environmental sanitation exercise, which Oshimili people were known for. To realize this, we shall embark on enlightenment campaign within the traditional villages of Asaba, Oko and Okwe aimed at educating the young ones on the need to regularly sweep their compounds. We shall also appoint Traditional Environmental Enforcer within each Ogbe or village, whose main duties shall include among others, to investigate and determine compounds that fail to comply with this rule. Also the youths (Okwulegwe) of each Ogbe or village are to be supported with sanitation tools for the cleaning of the common areas (i.e, Onu-ilo & Ogwa) on a weekly basis. The Okwulegwe groups are to be utilized in the clearing of drains within their villages or Ogbe. For motivational purposes, the council under my leadership shall institute an award for the neatest Ogbe or village within the LGA. This award which will be on a monthly basis shall comprise of both sanitation material and an amount of money later to be determined. We shall also at intervals give out motivational gifts to our youths and women discovered to be ardent in the task of early morning sanitation exercises. These are geared at restoring the fast dying culture of cleanliness which we as Oshimili people were known for. Modern Method: In a more practical sense, the Ancient method discussed above is majorly to compliment a well detailed and proactive modern method of Environmental Sanitation. Waste management in the real sense of it is capital intensive and as well deserves know-how and sincerity of purpose. My administration will from onset source funds from private organizations that are to partner the Local Government in the area of waste management. We shall pay greater attention to the purchase of tippers, pail loaders and waste compactor trucks to be used on daily basis for the evacuation of waste within the LGA. As most people may not have been aware, the management of waste in Asaba the Delta State capital is vested on three Government organs viz, the Ministry of Environment, the Delta State Waste Management Board and the Oshimili South Local Government Council. For administrative convenience therefore, the city of Asaba has been zoned into three with each of the organs mentioned above assigned to separate zones. The duty of the Council under my leadership shall be to clearly identify the zone assigned to the Local Government Council and publicly make it known to all the residents of such zone while seeking the cooperation of other State Agencies in any area we appear to encounter difficulty. We shall engage the service of private waste Disposal Agents within markets and major streets, while the inland town shall be fully serviced by the Local Council Environment Departments. All these are to be at minimal cost that will be determined by the council in conjunction with the Advisory council to be set up. I will also in pursuing my desire to keep the Local Government Area clean and adorable, ensure that staff are posted to sweep and weed all the traditional monuments, public centres and palaces within the Local Government Area. These staff who are to be permanently positioned at their respective duty posts are to be under the direct supervision of the respective palaces, where the assigned duties fall. I shall within the period of my tenure bring in Corporate Organizational Adverts into House numbering and street naming. Markets, monuments and traditional sites are to be secured, painted and re-painted on regular basis with a uniform colour to enhance the aesthetic view of our LGA. Flowers are to be planted at all existing village squares. In more honest and direct language, my administration in taking up waste management and environmental beautification as a main programme shall at the same time ensure it becomes a major revenue spinner. In the regards, Oshimili South LGA must surely earn wealth and empower her citizens from waste.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 09:38:03 +0000