Get Guardian on GoogleOgun State Government has arrested and prosecuted 128 environmental offenders, as part of efforts to maintain clean environment and reduce incessant flooding across the state.
The offenders who were apprehended in major cities and towns such as Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ota, Ifo, Mowe and Ibafo were found guilty of dumping refuse on roads medians, watercourses and canals, which contravenes the state Environmental laws, thereby aiding flooding that destroyed public and private property, as well as infringing on public peace and safety.
In the process of prosecution, The Guardian learnt that the offenders, who pleaded guilty to the offence, were subsequently fined between N5, 000 and N10, 000.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, who doubles as the Head of the State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), Mr. Ola Oresanya said the arrest and prosecution will serve as deterrent to others, as the enforcement of the state environmental laws will continue.
He urged residents to patronise waste managers assigned to their areas, as the current administration has since January accredited 120 PSP waste managers to various councils to stop illegal dumping of refuse and spread of diseases and destruction of public and private infrastructure.
While promising that the state will continue to invest in waste management infrastructure, Oresanya urged members of the public to support the various initiatives through its waste management cellular economic programmes, such as waste-recycling, waste-use and waste-reduction.
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