The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has partnered the Nasarawa State Government on massive clearing of drains in motor parks and other public places in order to guard against flooding,
Ahj. Abdullahi Jikamshi, Nasarawa State Coordinator of NYSC made the disclosure at the inauguration of the 2024 sanitation exercise by the corps at the Yahaya Sabo Bus Terminal Lafia on Saturday.
He explained that the corp members who turned out in arge number had cleared drains and cleaned all dirt within and outside the motor park.
“This exercise is going on simultaneously in motor parks and markets in the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as directed by the Director General of the corps,” he said.
The coordinator also directed thier Environmental Sanitation Protection Community Service Club to make environmental sanitation a continued exercise in their respective communities in order to change the psyche of the people.
“If the psyche of the people is changed and their consciousness of the exercise aroused, sanitation will be made to be part of their schedule and part of their lives,” he added.
The NYSC coordinator noted that most times flooding occured as a result of the deliberate blocking of drains as well as building structures on water ways.
He also called on the leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to provide waste bins in motor parks to ensure proper wast dump.
“Apart from removing dirt in the drains and cleaning the environment, we intend to reawake the consciousness of sanitation sanitation on Nigerians through sensitisation.
“We believe that cleanliness is next to Godliness, hence the need for all to always clean our environments to prevent flooding and guard against outbreak of diseases,” he added.
He therefore lauded the state government and other who supported the corp members with tools for the success of the exercise.
On his part, Ahj. Garba Mohammed, Permanent Secretary (PS) Nasarawa State ministry of Environment and Natural Resources said sanitation exercise was a topmost priority to Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration.
He explained that the governor had reintroduced sanitation exercise at the last Saturday of every month immediately he assumed office in 2019 to ensure the state is clean at all times.
Mohammed also called on the management of all motor parks in the state to provide waste bins for proper disposal of refuge.
The Permanent Secretary therefore commended NYSC for the support and promised that the government would continue to partner individuals and groups interested in keeping the state clean.