The Abia government says the revived sanitary inspection of compounds is not for taxation or punishment but to ensure residents maintain clean surroundings.

It introduced stipends for sanitary inspectors to encourage diligence and discourage extortion during visits to homes, villages, and communities across the state.

Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this at Government House, Umuahia, on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the weekly Executive Council Meeting.

Mr Kanu said communities should be given at least one week’s notice before inspectors’ visits, ensuring fairness and adequate preparation by residents. He explained that sanitation efforts aim to reduce disease transmission from contaminated environments, benefiting all residents, and urged the public to comply with health directives.

Mr Kanu added that the Council approved a statewide tree-planting campaign due to its numerous environmental and health benefits. He said ASEPA was already de-silting drains in Aba and Umuahia following flooding warnings, aimed at preventing disasters in the cities.

The government urged residents not to clog drainage channels, underscoring that responsible waste disposal was crucial in preventing flooding.

(NAN)