Kwara sanitation offenders charged to courts

In a bid to continually enforce sanitation laws in Kwara State, the state Environmental Sanitation Task Force has convicted and fined several sanitation offenders in the state for violating the law.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists after the environmental sanitation exercise observed across the state over the weekend, according to a statement on Sunday by the Press Secretary of the State Ministry of Environment, Kamaldeen Aliagan.

The commissioner, who led the task force, affirmed that “the exercise was successful because there has been an improvement in the level of compliance,” noting that the residents of the state should adhere strictly to environmental laws.

Buge further disclosed that “the offenders were apprehended and charged in 17 mobile courts strategically positioned across the metropolis.”

“The positive aspect is that none of the offenders can feign ignorance of today’s sanitation exercise, as sufficient sensitisation was carried out by the ministry through radio, newspapers, and online platforms. It is clear that they willfully flouted the laws and are thus made to face the full wrath of the law, serving as a deterrent to others.”

Speaking about the extension of time, Buge emphasised that “it is in line with the state Environmental Sanitation Law of Section 29 (2) CAP E4 of 2006, which stipulates that the hours of sanitation are from 7 am to 10 am.”

She further stated that the “move is necessary to ensure the total eradication of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and to prevent the outbreak of diseases, adding that the sanitation exercise must be taken seriously and by the laws governing our state.”

Commending members of the Guild of Yoruba Media Practitioners for their community service at the Gaa Akanbi area in Ilorin, the state capital, Buge lauded their efforts and tasked them with raising more awareness about the need for a better and healthier living environment.

She, therefore, appealed to the public to continue to cooperate with the state government and its agencies in their efforts to ensure a clean, safe, and healthier state.