By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Akwa Ibom State has for the fourth time won the trophy as Nigeria’s cleanest state.
It has won same for four consecutive years in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The rating is an integral part of The State of the Nigeria Environment Annual Report; a project of Clean-up Nigeria.
The trophy was presented to Governor Udom Emmanuel by the Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Mr Charles Udoh and the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, Prince Akpan Ikim.
Governor Udom Emmanuel while receiving the trophy charged the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, AKSEPWMA, to maintain the tempo of ensuring that the state retains its pride of place as Nigeria’s most cleanest state, as such a feat is in line with his industrialization policy.
The Governor stated this on Monday during at an enlarged State Executive Council meeting held at Government House, Uyo, during which he received the trophy won by the state as Nigeria’s most cleanest state.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the Governor commended the agency for consistently winning the coveted prize and charged them to do more to ensure that the state remains clean consistently for a decade.
He commended Prince Ikim for interpreting his vision of having a clean environment, noting that a clean environment is one of the key factors investors look out for in any environment they intend to invest as a clean hygiene environment are vital for healthy living in view of the pandemic the world is facing, Leadership reports.
Emmanuel called on Akwa Ibom residents to see themselves as ambassadors of the environment and play their part at ensuring they guard against indiscriminate dumping of refuse at unauthorized locations and maintain the highest possible standard in sanitation and hygiene, submitting that the award is an indication that the world is noticing what is going on in the state and reiterated the need for all hands to be on board to maintain and sustain the legacy.
