The Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) says it will sustain its sanitation advocacy campaigns to improve environmental sanitation and hygiene practices.

The agency’s director-general, Patrick Ukah, made this known on Sunday while monitoring the community-based sanitation and sensitisation programme.

Mr Ukah underscored the importance of waste bin disposal in every household and urged residents to support public sector partnership (PSP) operators for proper waste management.

“Economic activities across the metropolis will thrive if all residents adhere to sanitation best practices,” he said.

He said significant resources and manpower have been deployed to ensure the campaign’s success.

Vincent Okwofadjeke, DSCTDA’s manager of administration and finance at Ogbogonogo Market, said maintaining a clean environment was a shared responsibility essential for preventing the spread of diseases.

He said, “The current clean-up exercise follows last year’s “Secured Clean and Green” campaign, reinforcing the need for a consistently clean environment to safeguard residents’ socio-economic well-being.

“Traders should remember that this market was previously shut down due to poor sanitary conditions.”

He urged them to clean their surroundings, properly dispose of their waste, and refrain from street trading.

“Many diseases spread through contaminated water and food due to poor sanitation practices such as open defecation, improper waste disposal, and lack of personal hygiene.

“Therefore, sanitation must become a daily practice, not just an activity reserved for Thursdays,” he added.

Isaac Nwosu, head of environment at DSCTDA, announced that the clean-up would extend to public spaces, including markets, to encourage sustainable sanitation habits among residents.

He emphasised that the agency’s advocacy efforts instilled voluntary and long-term compliance with proper waste management practices.

John Ijedie, manager of investment and business promotions, underscored the economic and health benefits of the campaign.

He said raising awareness about sanitation is crucial in preventing communicable diseases.

He urged residents to take ownership of their environment by maintaining cleanliness and reporting unsanitary behaviours, stressing that the government could not continually monitor every location.

The Ugoani of Okpanam, Michael Mbanefo, pledged his support in enforcing the sanitation campaign within the Okpanam Kingdom during a visit by the DSCTDA team.

(NAN)