The Abia State Government has announced the commencement of house-to-house inspections by sanitary inspectors across all 17 local government areas, as part of a renewed environmental health initiative by the Ministry of Environment.
Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, revealed this on Monday during a press briefing, stating that residents whose homes are found in unsanitary conditions will face prosecution under the state’s environmental laws.
Kanu, speaking on the outcomes of the latest Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti, emphasized that the sanitary enforcement policy aims to improve public health and promote proper hygiene practices across the state.
The commissioner also stated that government-owned hospitals and primary health centres are recording increased patronage, attributing the change to the equipping of the facilities by the government.
He revealed that 103,000 persons had enrolled in the Abia State formal sector insurance scheme, surpassing the initial target of 100,000.
The commissioner assured residents in the informal sector that they would be captured in the second phase of the insurance scheme, as part of efforts to improve their access to quality healthcare services.
The Abia government further disclosed that it has received a letter of approval from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, to take over the moribund Star Paper Mill.
It explained that the paper mill would be handed over to private investors under close supervision to ensure it is not mismanaged, adding that other moribund companies would also be revived to create employment.
