ASABA/Nigeria: The Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation Bureau (DSOB), Barrister Latimore Oghenesivbe, has reiterated the call for working journalists in the state to collaborate with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration in advocating for city beautification and cleanliness. Oghenesivbe emphasized the detrimental health hazards posed by dirty environments, underscoring the imperative for collective action.
In a statement released on Friday and circulated among the press, Oghenesivbe addressed the recent criticism leveled at the management of Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA), led by Chief Patrick Ukah, MNIPR. The criticism stemmed from measures taken by the agency to enforce proper waste disposal, deemed essential for safeguarding public health.
Oghenesivbe asserted that a responsible and effective government cannot afford to ignore the scourge of refuse-littered streets. He emphasized citizens’ obligation to dispose of waste properly, either in designated areas or for collection by the state waste management board or its agents.
Disputing claims made by an online newspaper that penalties for improper waste disposal were punitive measures, Oghenesivbe stressed the absence of legal or moral justification for citizens to neglect their environmental duties. He pointed out that even in developed nations, governments do not provide waste bins for free, as such services are financed through taxes and deductions. Contrary to burdensome taxes in advanced democracies, he noted, Delta citizens are not subjected to similar financial strains.
Oghenesivbe outlined the significance of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda, which advocates for a shift from disease-prone environments to a healthier Delta. He called for unified support, including from the press, for the initiatives of the State Capital Territory Development Agency under Chief Patrick Ukah, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining cleanliness in offices and homes.
As the fourth estate of the realm and watchdogs of society, Oghenesivbe emphasized the constitutional duty of the press to be objective, factual, and supportive of government reforms that prioritize public interest, patriotism, and law and order.
He emphasized the need to correct misconceptions regarding penalties for environmental sanitation violations and urged citizens to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean. Oghenesivbe affirmed Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to cleanliness and called for journalists to join hands with the government in promoting a cleaner Delta.
Highlighting the pivotal role of working journalists as major partners in progress, Oghenesivbe appealed for continued collaboration for the betterment of the state and society. He concluded by endorsing the ongoing cleanliness and environmental sanitation enforcement as a commendable government objective deserving of moral and legal support.
