The Anambra State Government, through Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA), has sealed hotels and other business premises found to be in violation of environmental laws.
News About Nigeria reports that the affected business premises, primarily located in Awka and its environs, were sealed following weeks of court notices served by the agency and the Ministry of Environment.
The enforcement exercise, spearheaded by Celestine Anere, Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, targeted establishments that had repeatedly flouted environmental regulations and ignored court summons.
Anere said that the crackdown was prompted by widespread public outcry regarding the deteriorating environmental conditions surrounding these businesses.
According to Anere, the persistent disobedience to environmental laws by certain hotel and leisure centre operators poses a threat to the environment and the overall ecosystem.
He said that this issue needs to be urgently addressed to safeguard the health and well-being of residents and preserve the state’s natural surroundings.
He said the state government is committed to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards environmental pollution and reiterated their dedication to upholding regulations aimed at fostering a clean, green, and healthy environment.
Anere mentioned that to give residents the chance to report any environmental problems in their neighbourhoods, more enforcement teams have been established.
“More enforcement teams have been created to give residents the opportunity to report any environmental issues around their communities.
“The state government has declared zero tolerance to environmental pollution, and we are poised to safeguard and upholding every government policy that will promote the vision of a clean, green, healthy, livable and prosperous homeland in the state,” Anere said.
