The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Rivers State has commenced environmental sanitation exercise across the 23 Local Government Areas (of the state to improve the health of citizens. Themed, “Clean Environment and Good Hygiene: Panacea for Good Health and Long Life,” the exercise was aimed at marking the 2024 NYSC National Environmental Sanitation Exercise.
The exercise, held simultaneously in all the Local Governments, featured cleaning of the Council headquarters, major markets, and motor parks. The State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. George Mfongang, while flagging off the exercise at the Obio/ Akpor LGA headquarters, said it was a way the scheme is giving back to the society.
Mfongang represented by the Assistant Director, Community Development Service (CDS), Mr. Barnax Uloneme explained that the NYSC is a leading light of youth organisations in the country.
“The scheme in pursuit of its ideals and noble roles in nation building, is primed to shine her light for others to see and emulate the importance of a clean and healthy environment for all. The exercise will deepen the relevance of the scheme in the hearts and minds of Nigerians.”
Corps Members and staff across the 23 LGAs of the state worked tirelessly in opening up blocked drainages, sweeping, cutting of grasses including proper evacuation and disposal of generated waste. A resident, Mrs Geraldine Amadi, who witnessed the exercise at Rumuokoro market, Obio/Akpor LGA, commended the NYSC management and corps members for the lofty initiative.
Mr Wilberforce Woke, another observer described it as a “job well done,” as both the Rumuokoro market and the motor park had never looked so clean in recent times. They used the opportunity to appeal to the NYSC management to sustain the exercise and regularise it.
“The state government and other critical stakeholders should support the NYSC with necessary logistics to ensure overwhelming success in carrying out such national assignment,” he suggested.
