——Says It is important to pursue a clean environment, but we must balance this with the need to allow citizens to pursue their economic activities without undue restriction.
Renowned Public Affairs Analyst and Chairman, Guild of Public Affairs Analysts of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Dr. Ambrose Igboke, made this known while speaking on a topic “Enugu State 2026 Budget: A Periscopic Analysis,” on Freedom Square, a programme on Solid FM, 100.9, anchored by Uchenna Cyril Anioke.
Dr. Igboke urged the Enugu State Government to discontinue the monthly environmental sanitation lockdown, saying the policy stifles commerce and impedes the free movement of people across the state.
According to him, “I will tell his excellency to call his people to order at ESWAMA, to scrap the relic called environmental Sanitation lockdown also known as sit at home. We cannot unlock lockdown on Mondays and relock lockdown on every last Saturdays. That is a no,no and does not suit the ambitions and disruptive innovations we are talking about. Anybody who wants to do business in Enugu or stay in Enugu should not be tied down by any hindrance in the course of doing business by the state apparatus.”
He argued that while environmental cleanliness is a vital component of public health, the current sanitation lockdown which usually confines residents and restricts vehicular movement for three hours has negatively affected small businesses and daily economic activities.
Igboke emphasized that enforcement of the lockdown disrupts market operations, discourages customers from patronizing traders, and creates unnecessary bottlenecks for commuters trying to carry out legitimate errands.
He suggested that the government could instead intensify daily waste management services and community engagement campaigns that do not involve locking down the streets, thereby encouraging corporate and public participation in maintaining a healthy environment.
He equally commended Governor Peter Mbah’s developmental strides across the state, including infrastructure improvements and educational investments, but stressed that a thriving business ecosystem requires regulatory reforms that do not hinder commerce.