Seventy-five residents of Ilorin, Kwara State capital, have been convicted for indiscriminate dumping of refuse within one week, according to report.
In a resolute move by the state government to prevent environmental diseases, offenders now face three months jail or fines ranging between N30,000 and N50,000 for violating the state environmental law.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge has charged Waste Management Consultants to be proactive in the discharge of their duties to the public.
She gave the charge weekend while inspecting their operational vehicles to ascertain their efficiency and durability, according to a statement by her spokesman, Kamaldeen Aliagan.
She said, “Government will not treat the issue of indiscriminate dumping of refuse with kid gloves because, we cannot shy away from our civic responsibilities and allow epidemics to take over the state.
“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 were road worthy, to efficiently serve residents within Ilorin metropolis.
She again reiterated the commitment of the present administration, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse to sustain clean and safe environment.
The Commissioner hinted the public that an Ilorin Magistrate Court on Saturday, sentenced another 14 members of the public to a 3-month jail term each, for violating Kwara State Environmental Law, making a total number of convicted persons within one week 75.
“This is an indication that government is resolute about putting a total stop to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, in Kwara State,” she said.
In his remark the Chairman Association of Waste Consultants, Alhaji ZakariyahuTahir, commended the commissioner for taking bold steps to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
