Eben Enasco Reporting
In Edo State, it is by far easier to see heaps of waste around the city center and major Street.
The issue of such dirt and environmental degradation has become an emergency for all well-meaning citizens in the State.
To address the menace, it was time for the Edo State House of Assembly backed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended to make laws for peace, order, and good governance that will empower those saddled with the responsibilities of effecting a fusible change.
Given this obligation, at a plenary session of the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, in Benin City, the member representing Ovia North East Constituency one, who doubles as the Majority Leader of the House Hon Charity Aiguobarueghian, moved a motion to re-introduce the Monthly Environmental Sanitation and a more effective waste management system that was unanimously adopted by the house.
According to available records, most cases of flood blockages in the drainages are caused by heaps of refuse dumped in canals.
The record also noted that most residential buildings with sewage outlets are openly linked to waterways and drainages in their streets.
This has become a major concern for Hon. Aiguobarueghian who at the Hallow Chambers of the Edo State House of Assembly called on members to throw their support for the bill he themed; “A motion to re-introduce the Monthly Environmental Sanitation and a More Effective Waste Management System in Edo State” to curb the environmental degradation.
Hon. Aiguobarueghian said in the times past, especially during the Fourth Republic, there was strict compliance of citizens of Edo residents with the policy of Environmental Sanitation which kept most parts of the state clean.
While appealing to all concerned, Aiguobarueghian presented his resolution to the House including calling on the Edo State Government to reintroduce the environmental sanitation exercise every last Saturday of the month, between 7 am and 11 am across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Other parts of the resolutions include LGAs putting measures to effectively monitor and manage the desilting of drainages while also advising the Edo State Waste Management Board of the need to acquire Waste Recycling Bins to tackle the menace of disposable plastic containers and cellophane materials from blocking drainages across the state.
The Lawmakers, OMOSIGHO UYI FRANK Oredo East, Bright Iyamu
Orhionmwon TWO, Eugene Inegbebor Igueben, Addeh Emakhue Isibor of Esan North East One, and others, took turns, and unison, to adopt the resolution
In his remarks, RT. Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku the Speaker of Edo State House Of Assembly mandated the clerk of the house to transmit the document to the executive arm of government.
Similarly, the State House of Assembly played host to the National Human Rights Commission Edo State Office, which was on an advocacy visit to the speaker, Rt Hon Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, and the leadership of the State Assembly to sensitize on the 16 days of activism programmed to raise awareness on sexual agenda-base issues in the state
The visiting team was led by its State Coordinator, Olumide Dosumu.
The speaker, however, assured them of the house support
The house is to reconvene on November 29, 2023.