IKPOBA HILL YOUTHS COLLABORATES WITH MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT TO CLEAN UP BENIN

IKPOBA HILL YOUTHS Forum in collaboration with the Edo state Ministry of Environment has initiated a clean up exercise that is aimed at making the city clean and habitable for all.

The maiden edition of the clean up exercise which started at Oregbeni market, Ramat Park in IKPOBA Okha local government of the state, yesterday attracted the attention of officials of the Ministry of Environment and members of Waste Management Board.

According to the Chairman of IKPOBA HILL YOUTHS Forum, Mr Kingsley Osemwingie, he said the exercise was in furtherance of the organization's social responsibility to give back to the society adding that they decided to embark on the exercise to show appreciation to the Edo state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki for coming to do palliative job on the failed portions of Ikpoba Hill road which was in deplorable conditions.

" I want to use this opportunity to appreciate our governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki for coming to do palliative repairs on our road which was no longer motorable but as you can see now, the road is now motorable and there is now free flow of traffic and we are very happy about that and because of that we decided to give back to the society by coming out to initiate this cleaning exercise because cleanliness is next to godliness. 

Mr Kingsley Osemwingie who said they have been doing cleaning exercises in other areas said that it was the first time they were doing the exercise in Oregbeni market in Ramat Park.

According to him," we have been doing cleaning exercises in other areas of Ikpoba Hill but this is the first time we are doing it in Oregbeni market and we hope to sustain it and by the grace of God Ikpoba Hill Youths are fully ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment and the state government to make sure Ikpoba Hill axis is clean.

He said his organization would continue to enlighten the market women on the need to join them in the clean up exercise so as to have a clean environment. He said before they started the exercise, they had written to the market leader to intimate them of the decision to embark on the clean up exercise and promised to continue to enlighten them on the need for a clean and healthy environment.

Still speaking, he said that Ikpoba Hill Youths are ready to work with Edo state government .

" We want to use this medium to assure Edo state government of our readiness to work with government in every possible way. We are with the government of Godwin Obaseki and we are for the government of Godwin Obaseki all the way and all the time".

Speaking with newsmen at the venue of the exercise, the general manager of Edo Waste Management Board, Mr Charles Imariagbe said he was impressed by the action of Ikpoba Hill Youths who were motivated by the campaign for clean environment embarked upon by the government of Godwin Obaseki whose campaign of finishing well encompasses clean environment, "and so the Ministry of Environment and Waste Management Board is collaborating with Ikpoba Hill Youths to clean up the environment and I must commend their efforts and support in this regard as you can see massive work going on as drainages are being cleared by the Youths and the waste being evacuated. The Ministry of Environment and Waste Management Board is giving them all the necessary support and I must assure you that this is not a flash in the pan as efforts would be made to sustain this initiative.

Also speaking with newsmen at the venue of the exercise, a resident of the area, Madam Helen Ighodaro was full of praise for Ikpoba Hill Youths, Ministry of Environment and members of the state Waste Management Board who came out to join and supervise the exercise. She appeal for the exercise to be sustained to guarantee clean environment and good health for the residents of the state.