The Ekiti State government has declared that the customary monthly statewide environmental sanitation exercise, slated for Saturday, April 26, 2025, will proceed without any restrictions on human and vehicular movement. This decision, announced in a public statement on Friday, stems from the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and aims to facilitate the smooth transit of candidates and examination officials. Recognizing the critical nature of this examination for prospective university students, the government has prioritized their unhindered access to examination centers. This temporary suspension of movement restrictions underscores the administration’s commitment to supporting educational pursuits and minimizing disruptions to the examination process.
While the usual restrictions on movement have been lifted for this specific sanitation exercise, the government earnestly appeals to residents across all 16 Local Government Areas to actively engage in the cleaning activities, scheduled to take place between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The government emphasizes the paramount importance of maintaining environmental hygiene for public health and safety. Residents are urged to dedicate this time to cleaning their immediate surroundings, including clearing public drains, tidying market areas, and sprucing up public spaces. This collective effort towards cleanliness is crucial in mitigating health risks and fostering a more pleasant environment for all.
To ensure effective implementation of the sanitation exercise and monitor compliance, the government will deploy environmental health officers, representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and security personnel across the state. These teams will be tasked with observing the level of participation and ensuring that residents adhere to the sanitation guidelines. Their presence also serves to deter potential violations of environmental health and sanitation laws. The comprehensive deployment of these monitoring teams reflects the government’s serious commitment to maintaining environmental standards and upholding public health.
Furthermore, mobile courts will remain operational throughout the sanitation exercise to address any observed violations of environmental health and sanitation laws. This measure aims to enforce compliance and deter individuals or entities from neglecting their environmental responsibilities. The presence of mobile courts underscores the seriousness with which the government views environmental sanitation and its commitment to taking decisive action against offenders. This approach combines encouragement for participation with a clear system of accountability to ensure the effectiveness of the sanitation exercise.
The Ekiti State government reiterates its unwavering commitment to fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents. By urging citizens to actively participate in the sanitation exercise, even without the usual restrictions, the government aims to cultivate a culture of shared responsibility towards environmental hygiene. The temporary suspension of movement restrictions during the UTME period demonstrates a balanced approach, recognizing the importance of both education and environmental well-being.
In conclusion, the Ekiti State government’s decision to lift movement restrictions during the April sanitation exercise reflects a thoughtful consideration of the ongoing UTME. While prioritizing the smooth conduct of the examination, the government underscores the continued importance of environmental sanitation. By urging residents to actively participate and deploying monitoring teams and mobile courts, the administration demonstrates a comprehensive approach to maintaining a clean and healthy environment. This proactive stance is crucial in safeguarding public health and promoting a more pleasant living environment for all residents of Ekiti State.
