No fewer than 196 persons were arrested by the Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Officers in Nasarawa State for violating sanitation laws.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Garba Rosha disclosed this while briefing newsmen after the sanitation exercise on Saturday in Lafia.
Rosha explained that the sanitation defaulters were mostly commercial motorists.
“We went round for supervision to ensure that people did what is necessary to keep their environment clean.
“Shop owners complied, but we are having problems with the motorists, motorcycle and tricycle riders.
“We intend to invite their leaders for a discussion to ensure compliance from their members.
“Issues of environmental sustainability, preservation and conservation should be a concern for all of us,” Rosha said.
The permanent secretary noted that no one is exempted from the exercise except those on emergency or essential services.
He thanked Gov. Abdullahi Sule, security personnel and traditional rulers, particularly the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage, for their support to the exercise.
On the allegations of extortion and bribery by personnel issuing pass, Rosha said the issuance of the pass was free and warned that any officer caught compromising would be dealt with decisively.
“Pass is to be given to essential workers or for an emergency for free, sanitation is not an avenue for revenue generation.
“Going forward, the pass will not be given on sanitation day but a day to sanitation at the Ministry of Environment,” he declared.
Also speaking, the Chief Prosecutor and Director of Enforcement, Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority, Dr Abubakar Mohammed, said defaulters would be prosecuted.
Mohammed said the 196 defaulters were apprehended in Awe, Keana, Obi, Lafia, Doma, Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, Wamba, Keffi, and Karu.
NAN
