The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has charged Environmental Health Officers in the State to redouble their efforts at the local and community levels, especially in the areas of sanitation and hygiene education, water quality monitoring, food safety, enforcement of relevant laws and effective waste management.
The Governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, during an official visit by the Environmental Health Officers’ Association of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter, assured the Health Officers of government’s unwavering commitment to their welfare, hinting that funding for monthly sanitation at the various local government areas would soon be discussed with the Mayors of the Local Government Councils.
He stressed the pivotal role of environmental health officers in the sustainability of a clean and healthy environment in the state
Earlier, the Association felicitated the Governor on his one year in office, which according to them, was impactful. They asked for more recognition and empowerment of Environment Health Officers, adding that this would go a long way in helping to achieve the vision of a healthy, clean and green Abia.
Among some of the requests made by the Association included the funding of the Environmental Health Departments of the 17 LGAs for their day-to-day expenses, and monthly sanitation, inclusion of Health Officers not captured in the Command Promotion Reversal List, full integration into Primary Health Care, which will entitle Environmental Health Officers to enjoy extension of their retirement age.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere was present at the meeting.
