…to kickstart implementation of DYP7 series initiative April 29
Asaba – Delta State government has again expressed unwavering commitment and readiness to enforce compliance with subsisting laws on environmental sanitation in all 25 local government areas of the state, to enhance clean environment and healthy lifestyle.
Chairman, Task Force on Environment, Chief Godspower Asiuwhu, gave the assurance in Asaba while speaking as guest of Orientation Panorama, the People’s programme on Voice of Delta 97.7 FM, saying that the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has prioritized a clean environment to keep Deltans healthy, active and productive.
He said the taskforce on environment, comprising 315 environmental marshalls, security agents and vigilante groups would enforce compliance through arrest, prosecution and payment of fines, adding that landlords, business premises owners, hotel proprietors, and legal occupants of residential buildings must register with the government accredited Private Sector Partnership (PSP) for the proper evacuation of dirts and waste, going forward.
Asiuwhu warned that the taskforce on environment is no respecter of persons, and would follow established procedures to enforce compliance and take steps further to arrest, prosecute and even seal filthy and dirty premises, saying that the state governor has charged the taskforce to ensure a clean Delta State.
He assured residents dumping refuse indiscriminately and in unauthorized places during odd hours of the day that there will be no hiding place for them, because local vigilantes have been directed to apprehend such deviants and hand them over to law enforcement agencies or the taskforce on environment for prosecution and payment of fines.
“The mandate given to the taskforce on environment is to keep Delta State clean, to ensure that landlords, legal occupiers of premises, owners of business premises, hoteliers, and market associations comply with subsisting environment laws, while violators shall face the consequences of their actions or inactions.
“There are mobile courts in place to try offenders and those found guilty are made to pay fines. We shall continue to intensify efforts in our strong determination to keep Delta clean in line with the MORE agenda of governor Oborevwori.
“To keep our environment clean is even to our own advantage, because health is wealth. Dirty environments constitute health hazards and this administration is doing the needful to promote healthy living, keep our environment clean.
“We don’t usually invade premises until something like dirt and filthiness draws our attention. The taskforce is allergic to dirty environments, and we shall not hesitate to diligently deliver on our mandate to keep Delta clean at all times.
“We don’t owe anybody an apology for what we do as a taskforce, and you become our friend and ambassador if you comply and keep your premises and environment clean. It’s as simple as that. It’s our collective civic responsibility to keep our state and environment clean.
“Let me state this very loud and clear, no landlord, hotelier, legal occupants of residential property, members of market associations, traders, market women and defaulters of environmental laws are permitted to pay fines or money into the private bank accounts of any Environmental Marshalls or members of taskforce on environment.
“All fines and monies are to be paid directly to the Government Treasury under the supervision of the Honourable Commissioner for Finance at the State Ministry of Finance, and the Accountant General’s office. Don’t pay a kobo to any Marshal or government official.
“It is also important for residents and landlords to report any unlawful conduct of any Environmental Marshal to the taskforce. We do not condone any act of criminality, and the Marshals have been trained to adhere strictly to operational procedures and code of ethics.
“And no member of the public, landlord or legal occupiers of premises is permitted to assault any member of the taskforce or Environmental Marshalls. It’s unlawful to do so, it’s a no go area that attracts criminal prosecution of offenders.
“Assault is a crime and it attracts severe penalties under the law. And if you keep your premises and environment clean, no Marshal or taskforce team will visit your premises.
“We appeal to landlords and residents in the state to join hands with the state government to keep Delta clean,” Asiuwhu said.
Also, the Delta State government says it has expanded the scope of its youth development policy from entrepreneurship to include targeting of talents from the entertainment and literary sectors.
The state Commissioner for Youth Development, Comrade Agbateyiniro Isaac, made this known at the NUJ Centre in Asaba, while briefing newsmen on the new Delta Youth Policy of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration tagged: DYP7 Series.
Mr Agbateyiniro said the policy entailed seven components, including: Youth Access to Facilities; Entertainment and Discovery of Talents; Empowerment; and Ease of Crime and Social Vices, among others.
The Commissioner noted that the Ministry of Youth Development would in the coming days entertain inputs from student bodies, women groups, traditional and religious leaders before the field implementation stage of the policy execution.
Agbateyiniro said, “It was necessary for us now to move into the field to implement the policy, especially after we have gotten a budget.
“On the 29th of this month, we are going to commence our senatorial district by senatorial district engagement starting with Delta Central, in line with the All-inclusiveness competent of the MORE Agenda policy of my principal, the Executive Governor of the State.”
He added that individuals would be allowed to choose the skills program of their choice, while the government had engaged Master Trainers to groom the youths.
