The Edo State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability in partnership with African Clean Up Initiative have embarked on a clean-up exercise in the Benin Metropolis.
The clean-up exercise which was tagged ‘Clean up Ring Road’ commenced at Lagos Street junction where officials of the ministry and African Clean-up initiative were seen cleaning and evacuating debris from drains into trucks for proper disposal.
The Commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Engr. Jonathan Lawani, who was represented by Mr. Edward Uwugiaren, Assistant Chief Scientific Officer, Department of Environmental Quality Management services, said: “A healthy environment is to a healthy life.”
Lawani who commended the non-governmental organisation for the initiative, noted that it is the responsibility of residents and shop owners to keep their surroundings clean by desilting their drains regularly and disposing waste properly.
He advised residents to stop dumping waste into drains and other unauthorised places as this act leads to blockage of drains thereby causing flooding menace in the state.
Earlier in a speech, Dr. Alexander Akhigbe, Chief Executive Officer of the initiative, said the objective of the project is to ensure that the city is clean and to create awareness on the danger of dumping waste indiscriminately as it affects humans.
Other areas cleared were Ibiwe, Mission Road as well as Oba Market Road.
