Kwara jails 14, arrests 75 others for violating environmental laws

Kwara State Government has arrested 75 environmental offenders across the state within a week, the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge has disclosed.

The Commissioner revealed this in Ilorin over the weekend during the inspection of operational vehicles of the contracted waste collectors to ascertain their efficiency and durability.

Buge said: “government will not treat the issue of indiscriminate dumping of refuse with kid gloves because we can not shy away from our civic responsibilities and allow epidemics to take over the state.

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“We as a Government are doing our best to totally eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse, in order to sustain a healthy environment across the State.”

Buge enjoined waste consultants to ensure that their vehicles are road worthy, to efficiently serve residents within Ilorin metropolis.

She reiterated the commitment of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse to sustain clean and safe environment, in the state.

The commissioner also hinted that, “an Ilorin Magistrate Court on Saturday sentenced another 14 offenders to a three-month jail term for violating the state Environmental Law.

“This is an indication that government is resolute about putting a total stop to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, in Kwara State.”

She expressed satisfaction at the level of compliance across the metropolis and urged the public to always abide by the state sanitation laws to curb illegal dumping of refuse, road encroachment and scavengers to ensure a clean and hygienic environment.

Chairman Association of Waste Consultants, Zakariyahu Tahir, commended the commissioner for taking bold steps, to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

He reassured the government of his Association’s support at all times to enforce environmental laws and sustain hygienic environment in the state.