Gov Oborevwori Inaugurates Environmental Marshals In Asaba, Emphasizes Importance Of Hygiene Practices

Delta state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has inaugurated the Environmental Marshals and Supervisors while asking them to ensure  that residents of the state keep their surroundings clean.

A statement made  available  to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that Governor Oborevwori  said this during the  one-day workshop held  for the  newly reconstituted Environmental Marshals and Supervisors  at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba on Thursday.

 

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, the governor urged the marshals to ensure objectivity and spare no one in the fight against dirt and poor sanitation  in the state. 

‘The responsibility that you have is a big one. There is a need for you to hit the ground running because the entire state is dirty. 

I know, I have been through your ethics and I have seen all the good things written there, but all what you do outside is the opposite. Instead of enforcing a clean environment, you are manipulating a clean environment; that’s what has always happened. 

You must have integrity, and be  objective; you must be trusted and must not give wrong directive. There shouldn’t be any vendetta. You don’t go to your neighbour’s compound to deal with them when your own compound is completely dirty. 

Your job is not only to place houses on caution or sanctions but to even prevent dirt piling up. So, Mr. Chairman, the bigger responsibility you have is sensitization. It is better to prevent a thief from stealing than catching the thief. 

If I go through your budget and I have the privilege to look at it, the greatest emphasis I will have will be on sensitization before we start managing people. 

I want to also believe that you will involve the communities because they have lost it in terms of cleanliness. When we were growing up, if you refuse to clean your environment, the community will kill a small fowl there and you will be made to pay; it doesn’t happen anymore. 

I think that if everybody cleans the drains in front of his house and packs the dirt, you will not find dirt in our environment or neighbourhood. 

Any dirt you find in front of any compound, they should be held liable, irrespective of who has dumped them. You see people with decent vehicles dropping dirt on the way, that’s a very serious offence. 

You should also create awards for performance on cleanliness since you have already grouped the marshals into zones. Let the zones with the best performance be rewarded. 

I hope you take your jobs seriously because there are more interested persons who can replace you if you do not do your jobs properly’ he said.

The Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, also  said sustainable cleanliness is the responsibility of all stakeholders and tasked the Marshals with working assiduously for the environmental sustainability of the state. 

In his welcome remarks, the Chairman, State Taskforce on Environment, Chief Godspower Asiuwhu, said the workshop is designed to create a platform to provide the needed guidance for the newly recruited Environmental Marshals and Supervisors to be abreast with the rudiments of their job, especially on the field, and in line with the MORE Agenda. 

Asiuwhu added that 18,750 applications were received following advertisement asking  qualified persons to apply for Environmental Marshals and Supervisors, out of which 652 persons were shortlisted for further screening, adding that, at the end of the screening exercise, 315 applicants were engaged. 

He also added that the Taskforce has expanded its operations for efficiency by creating Ethiope, Sapele, Ughelli  and Kwale zones. 

‘As Environmental Marshals and Supervisors, the aesthetic beauty of our environment must be your priority. You are expected to uphold a high level of integrity and diligence in carrying out your assignments in the field. 

Always maintain decorum in all you do and abstain from acts capable of bringing shame/ ridicule to the state government. To this end, violent activities are highly discouraged. 

Similarly, you should always be transparent with government revenues, never tamper with fines/revenues collected on behalf of the state government. 

As government- recruited Environmental Marshals and Supervisors, be fully informed that any violation of the rules and regulations, as administered by the state government through this office, would not be condoned’ he said. 

The Taskforce Chairman added that truancy, absenteeism, fighting or disrespect for constituted authorities and lateness to work are unacceptable, pointing out that such acts of misconduct would obviously attract sanctions-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you