196 environmental defaulters arrested in Nasarawa

By David Odama

Over 196 environmental defaulters were arrested in Nasarawa state by ministry of Environment and Natural resources for violating the monthly Sanitation law in the state.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Garba Rosha dropped the figure while briefing Journalists at the end of the October monthly sanitation exercise in Lafia.

According to the permanent Secretary, the sanitation defaulters were mostly commercial motorists noting that that sanitation law of Nasarawa state has no room for exemption from the exercise except those on emergency and essential services.

“We went round for supervision to ensure that people clean up their environment.

“We intend to invite their leaders for a discussion to ensure compliance from their members because
issues of environmental sustainability, preservation and conservation should be a concern for all in the state,” the permanent Secretary stated.

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 assigned the responsibility of issuing pass, Rosha said issuance of pass to residents during sanitation was free and warned that any officer caught compromising would be dealt with decisively.

“Pass is free for essential workers, those on emergency during sanitation and an avenue for revenue collection or for extortion.

“Going forward, the pass will not be given on sanitation day any longer 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, adding that 196 defaulters were apprehended in Awe, Keana, Obi, Lafia, Doma, Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, Wamba, Keffi, and Karu.