No fewer than 4,000 environmental offenders have so far been arrested by the Oyo State Environmental Task Force, while five of them have been convicted by the Environmental Protection Tribunal.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Mr Jubreel Kareem, made this known to journalists during monitoring in Ibadan on Wednesday, saying that they were convicted for violating the state Environmental Laws.
Kareem said two of the offenders, Olanrewaju Deola and Funmilayo Ayoola were found disposing wastes illegally at unauthorised place.
He said that they also failed to provide a standard refuse drum contrary to Oyo State Environmental Laws, 2013.
According to him, they admitted to have committed the offences and were convicted to three months imprisonment or an option of fines of N5000, N2500, N2500 each.
He said, “another offender, Olabisi Olatunde, who was caught at Preboyes, along UI-Bodija dumping refuse on the median, pleaded guilty and the tribunal, thereafter, fined her N7, 500.”
Kareem said in the same vein, John Blessing and Ali Sumaiya were caught illegally displaying goods by road side at Mokola.
He said the tribunal ruled that it was against Section 2 sub-section 14 of the Oyo State Waste Management Law of 2014 and thereafter fined them N2,500 each.
The tribunal chairman, further warned the offenders not to violate the state Environmental Laws, saying that henceforth, this should serve as a lesson to them and others.
In the same vain, DCP Ojomo Francis, the Chairman, Oyo State Environmental Task Force, said that no fewer than 4,000 environmental offenders had been arrested.
Ojomo, who spoke during the trial of some environmental offenders in Ibadan, said that some were committed to community service after trial, while others paid fines.
He said that, in the period under review, over N30 million had been paid by various offenders into the state government’s coffers.
Ojomo, who is also the Waste Enforcement Officer, urged the public to obey the environmental laws.
He said that this would sustain the healthiness and good neighbourliness in the society.
Ojomo said that item 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals places premium on sanitation and sustainable environment.
He appealed to Nigerians, especially the state residents to pay attention to cleaning their environment, saying that the task force was watching everyone.
Ojomo also reiterated the commitment of the state government toward ensuring an healthy and safe environment.
According to him, this is not the first time we appeal to members of the public to obey our Environmental Laws, so that we will have sustained peace and health in our society.
“Item 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations places premium on sanitation and sustainable environment.
“We do not need to attend any formal school to take care of our environment for our own interest,” he said.
