By Festus Ahon

As part of efforts geared towards keeping the environment clean during the yuletide season, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), carried out a quick impact massive cleaning exercise across Delta state.

The cleaning exercise started on Sunday 24th December through 31st December, 2017 and had its climax on Tuesday 2nd January, 2018 after the New year break. The exercise had a double edged impact, empowering the Women and youths who participated and as well creating a healthy and clean environment. Target areas for clean up were streets and markets.

A scene from the NDDC environmental exercise

It was a thorough and intensive programme as officials from NDDC, community leaders and youth groups were present to monitor and encourage participants.

Mrs Irene Emavwodia, head of environmental protection and control department, NDDC, Warri commented that in order to have a sustainable development, we have to sustain our health by cleaning our environment.

Furthermore, she called for improved sanitary conditions among the people of Delta State, noting that the absence of it may lead to ill health and sudden deaths. She praised the management of NDDC for ensuring that a sizeable number of women were engaged in the cleaning exercise as it has empowered them financially in the yuletide period.

Mrs Emavwodia called on the NDDC management to sustain this cleaning exercise periodically and noted the need for much work to be done in Sapele, Uvwie, Warri South, Kwale, Obiaruku, Udu, Ughelli, Otor-Udu, Bomadi, Oghara, Ashaka, Oleh, Ozoro and Patani, as observed in the course of the exercise.

Some residents across the state who spoke, applauded the giant strides undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission in this season to ensure a friendly environment and empower the people.