Kwara bans scavengers from Ilorin metropolis

The Kwara State government has banned scavengers from the Ilorin metropolis as part of the state’s new strategies to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Speaking during the inauguration of an Environmental Task Force charged with the responsibility of ensuring compliance with the new environmental strategies and guidelines in Ilorin, the Commissioner for Environment, Hajiya Nafisat Buge, directed all registered scavengers to do their business at the government refuse dump site at Sokoto-Aiyekale off the expressway.

She said that over 300 environmental task force officers have been mobilised to keep 24-hour surveillance and enforcement in five units of over 70 locations in the metropolis.

Buge, who hinted that anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately in any part of the state would be prosecuted, said that punishment ranges between N50,000 fine for individuals, N150,000 for corporate outfits and between N250,000 and N500,000 for big firms as well as six months jail term.

She however said that the ministry formulated a third option as community service for a number of days for offenders found guilty of indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

According to her, members of the task force comprised 75 environmental volunteers, men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), vigilance teams, legal officers, Ilorin Emirate Development Progressive Union (IEDPU) and environmental officers among others.

“We are in the season when indiscriminate dumping of refuse is more rampant.

“It is, therefore, pertinent for a responsible government to take action in order to sustain a clean and hygienic environment for the healthy living of its people.

“The menace of indiscriminate dumping of refuse is an unacceptable phenomenon that requires urgent attention, most especially within the metropolis.

“The attendant dangers and effect of this menace is alarming and could be devastating if left unattended,” she stated.

The environment commissioner said that the ministry has undertaken sensitisation activities with different stakeholders including the traditional leaders, market traders association, the road transport associations, Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union, the youth wings and many other interest groups.

“We have in the process received blessings and support of all the aforementioned stakeholders including Mai Martaba, Sarki-Ilori, Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Council of Chief, HRH, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and all the Baloguns and Alaguas of the Ilorin Emirate,” he said.

She also called for the cooperation and support of all to ensure compliance with the new sets of strategies to foster a cleaner and greener Kwara under the present administration in the state.

“It is illegal to dump refuse on road medians, road dividers, roundabouts, gutters, drainage channels, and waterways.

“Trading activities beyond the gutter on the roadside is not acceptable and will be penalised.

“More roll-roll (waste) bins have been provided at strategic locations to serve as collection points for onward conveyance of waste to the government-approved dump site.

“The 38 registered Commercial Waste Consultants have been charged to be more responsive in their duties of providing services to the populace at a token amount,” she added.