“You Are The Environmental Police, Must Remain On Agenda” – Anambra Environment Commissioner, Aguiyi Tells OCHA Brigade

By David Okpokwasili

Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Clem Aguiyi has told the operatives of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade, that they remain the state’s frontline in its war against environmental degradation, asking them to maintain the agenda of their creation.

Commissioner Aguiyi was speaking when he embarked on a working visit and facility tour of the brigade’ headquarters on Monday morning.

The Commissioner told the staff that the law specifically set up OCHA Brigade as the environmental police to enforce the environmental laws of the state, saying that the state government is now committed to ensuring that they remain dedicated to this responsibility as the task of protecting the environment is enormous.

He said the Governor’s declaration of state of emergency on the environment during the 35th anniversary of the state last week means that the Ministry of Environment and OCHA Brigade must rejig its implementation and work plan in the enforcement of sanitation, drainage, run-off water, illegal sand mining and excavation, deforestation, waste disposal and management in markets, streets and home.

Dr Aguiyi tasked the OCHA Brigade staff on dedication to duty, exemplary behavior, wearing of their name tags and disciplined conduct when on duty.

The Acting Managing Director of the Brigade, Mr Anthony Agbaefuna, represented by the Head of Operations, Mr Kenneth Ebochina later conducted the Commissioner on tour of the facility.