By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority has announced that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise will hold on Saturday, 29 November 2025, across the Yenagoa metropolis and surrounding communities. The announcement also confirmed that movement will be restricted during the compulsory exercise, which runs from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the Environmental Sanitation Authority, High Chief Timothy Diekivie Itiedu, all residents are required to clean their surroundings, cut overgrown grasses, clear drains, and ensure that natural waterways remain unobstructed. The exercise, he noted, forms part of the state’s ongoing efforts to maintain a clean environment and prevent seasonal flooding.
The Authority further instructed residents to dispose of refuse only at designated dumpsites and receptacles to prevent waste from being washed back into residential areas during rainfall. It emphasized that improper disposal has contributed to flooding and sanitation challenges in the state capital.The directive also includes a restriction of movement throughout the three-hour period, with exemptions only for essential workers who have obtained prior clearance from the Authority. Activities such as football, cycling, and other forms of recreation will not be allowed during the sanitation hours, and violators will be sanctioned.High Chief Itiedu commended the cooperation of community leaders, market associations, and residents in areas such as Swali, Kpansia, Opolo, Etegwe, and other major marketplaces. He noted that their consistent participation has helped improve environmental cleanliness across the state.
He also called on corporate organisations to support government efforts by engaging in sanitation activities within and around their premises. According to him, maintaining a clean environment is a civic responsibility shared by all stakeholders.“Keeping our environment clean is a collective responsibility. Let us work together to keep Bayelsa State clean and green,” the statement added.The monthly environmental sanitation exercise remains a key component of the state government’s broader strategy to reduce the risk of flooding, curb disease outbreaks, and improve the overall environmental quality of the state capital and its environs.
