In a decisive move to enforce environmental cleanliness, the Nasarawa State Government has announced the arrest of 96 individuals for flouting the state's environmental sanitation laws. The arrests took place across all 13 local government areas of the state during the monthly sanitation exercise held on Saturday.
Crackdown on Sanitation Defaulters
Abubakar Mohammed, the Chief Prosecutor Officer of the State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, disclosed the figure to journalists in Lafia, the state capital, immediately after the November exercise. He revealed that the offenders were apprehended for engaging in private business activities while the state-wide sanitation was ongoing.
According to Mohammed, this action directly contravenes section 9 (2) of the Nasarawa State Environmental Sanitation Law. He confirmed that all 96 defaulters were promptly tried and prosecuted by various mobile courts established within their respective local government areas. This measure, he stated, was taken to serve as a strong deterrent to others who might consider ignoring the sanitation regulations in the future.
Revitalizing Waste Management Infrastructure
In a related development aimed at enhancing long-term waste management, the state government has finalized plans to breathe new life into two underutilized waste recycling plants. Christopher Abari, the Secretary of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority, made this announcement in an interview also held in Lafia.
Abari identified the locations of the facilities as Angwan Rere in Lafia and Auta Balefi in Karu Local Government Areas. He admitted that activities at these plants have been low but confirmed that the state is committed to restoring them to full operational capacity.
"The revitalisation of the plants is a key part of our strategy to improve waste management, reduce environmental pollution, and promote a healthier living space for our people," Abari explained. He added that the plants would be fitted with modern equipment and machinery to ensure efficient waste processing.
Sustained Efforts for a Cleaner Nasarawa
Further elaborating on the government's efforts, Secretary Abari highlighted that the agency has distributed waste bins of various sizes at strategic locations across the state's 13 LGAs to encourage proper refuse disposal. He assured the public that agency staff are committed to the regular evacuation of waste from designated dumping sites.
Abari used the opportunity to urge residents to consistently bring their waste to these designated points to facilitate easy evacuation and prevent the spread of diseases. He emphasized that keeping the environment clean is a fundamental measure to guard against epidemics and ensure the improved health of the populace.
Expressing satisfaction, the Secretary commended the general public for their level of compliance during the November sanitation exercise. He also extended appreciation to the security agencies, traditional rulers, and the media for their support in ensuring the exercise's success.
