Kwara State Environmental Sanitation Task Force has convicted and fined over 400 sanitation offenders in the state for running afoul of the law.
Commissioner for Environment Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists after Saturday’s three-hour environmental sanitation exercise observed across the state.
The commissioner, who led the task force, affirmed that “the exercise was successful because there is an improvement in the level of compliance.”
She called for more adherence to the environmental laws, in the best interest of the people.
Buge further disclosed: “The offenders were apprehended and charged to 17 mobile courts that were strategically positioned across the metropolis.
“The good aspect is that none of the offenders can feign ignorance of today’s sanitation exercise, as enough sensitisation was carried out, by the ministry on radio, newspapers and online. It is obvious they wilfully flouted the laws and were made to face the full wrath of the law.”
She expressed optimism that the offenders sanctioned during the monitoring exercise will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders in subsequent exercises.
Speaking on the extension of time, the commissioner re-emphasised that it is “in line with the state Environmental Sanitation Law of Section 29 (2) CAP E4 of 2006, which stipulates that the hour of sanitation is from 7 am to 10 am.”
She stated further that the move is necessary, to ensure a total eradication of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and forestall the outbreak of diseases.
She added that the sanitation exercise needs to be taken seriously, by the laws governing the state.
She appealed to the public to continue to cooperate with the government and its agencies in the efforts to ensure a clean, safe and healthier Kwara for residents and would-be investors.
