Sanitation: Nasarawa jails 24 over sanitation laws ***69 arrested during February sanitation exercise

By David Okpashi

No fewer than 24 persons have been convicted and sent to prison for violating environmental sanitation laws between January last year to January this year.

In the same vein, over 69 persons especially the motorists were at the weekend arrested for various offences during this month sanitation exercise in the state

Briefing journalists in the state, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Yakubu Kwanta explained the over 24 persons were sent to prison between January last year to January this year.

According to the Commissioner who spoke through the Chief Prosecutor at the state Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Mohammed, the defaulters are serving various jail terms for failing to pay the stipulated fines as prescribed by the sanitation laws in the state.

“The defaulters are serving various jail terms for failing to pay the stipulated fines as prescribed by the sanitation laws in the state. As were speak 24 persons are serving various jail terms because they could not pay the fines spelt out by the sanitation laws”.

Earlier, the permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mohammed Rocha, had disclosed that more than 69 persons mostly motorists who were arrested during the February sanitation exercise would be prosecuted in accordance to the sanitation law of the state.

Kwanta, while urging the residents to prioritize sanitation to keep their environment clean, commended the traditional rulers especially Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage for his encouragement and participation in the monthly sanitation.

The Commissioner also commended Killema Community for their exceptional efforts in promoting cleanliness as he urged other communities to emulate them

“As you aware every last Saturday of the month is set aside for sanitation. Before I go further, I want to appreciate Gov. Abdullahi Sule for always providing logistics as at when due for hitch free sanitation.

“I want to also thank the task force and the volunteers for their continuous supports that helped us to record a huge success in this exercise,” he said.