By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Idemili South Local Government Area has announced plans to carry out a comprehensive environmental sanitation and drainage desilting exercise across all communities within its jurisdiction as part of proactive efforts to mitigate flooding and promote a cleaner environment ahead of the rainy season.
The Mayor of the Local Government, Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi (Iyom Ife-Abata), disclosed this in a special announcement issued on Friday, informing residents that the exercise will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and will cover all communities in the local government area.
According to the announcement, the exercise is designed as a preventive and protective measure to clear blocked drainage channels, remove accumulated waste, and ensure free flow of rainwater when the rainy season begins, thereby reducing the risk of flooding and environmental hazards.
The Mayor emphasized that the sanitation and desilting operation will require the active participation of all residents, including youth groups, community leaders, business operators, market stakeholders, and other relevant groups, noting that environmental safety is a collective responsibility that demands community-wide involvement.
To ensure the effectiveness and success of the exercise, the Hon. Obi announced that there will be temporary restriction of movement and suspension of market activities during the sanitation period. This, the announcement explained, is intended to enable residents to fully participate in the exercise and allow sanitation teams to carry out their duties without obstruction.
Hon. Obi further assured that the Council has put adequate logistics in place to support the exercise, including deployment of trucks and evacuation teams that will remove and properly dispose of waste materials and debris cleared from drainage systems and public spaces.
She noted that the sanitation exercise forms part of the administration’s broader environmental management strategy aimed at safeguarding lives, protecting property, and maintaining a healthy and flood-free environment across Idemili South communities.
The Mayor consequently called on all residents and business owners in the Local Government Area to cooperate fully with the directive and take ownership of the exercise, stressing that sustained environmental cleanliness remains essential to public health, safety, and sustainable development.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Council to building a cleaner, safer, and more resilient Idemili South through proactive environmental policies and collective civic responsibility.
