The Kwara State Environmental Sanitation Task Force has convicted and fined over 400 sanitation offenders in the state, for running foul of the law. This is in a bid to continually enforce sanitation law in the State.

The State Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge disclosed this while fielding questions from Journalists, after the environmental Sanitation exercise observed across the state over the weekend.

The Commissioner, who led the task force affirmed that; ” the exercise was successful because, there is an improvement in the level of compliance, therefore called for more adherence to the environmental laws, adding it is in the best interest of the people.”

Buge disclosed further that; “the offenders were apprehended and charged to seventeen (17) mobile courts that were strategically positioned across the metropolis.

“The good aspect is that none of the offenders can feign ignorance of today’s sanitation exercise, as enough sensitization was carried out, by the ministry on radio, newspapers and online. It is obvious they willfully flouted the laws and so made to face the full wrath of law, to serve as a deterrent to others,” she added.

The Commissioner however expressed optimism that the offenders sanctioned during this today’s monitoring exercise, will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders in subsequent exercises.

Speaking on the extension of time, the Commissioner re emphasised it is “in line with the state Environmental Sanitation law of Section 29 (2) CAP E4 of 2006 which stipulates that the hours of sanitation is from seven o’clock to ten o’clock (7: 00am – 10am) in the morning.”

She stated further that the move is necessary, to ensure a total eradication of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and forestall the outbreak of diseases, adding that the sanitation exercise has to be taken seriously and in accordance with the laws governing our state.”

Commending members of the Guild of Yoruba Media Practitioners for their community service at Gaa Akanbi area, the Commissioner urged them to keep it up, calling on other groups and association to emulate the good gesture of the association, for a better healthy living.

She therefore appealed to the public to continue to cooperate with Government and its agencies, in its efforts at ensuring a clean, safe and healthier Kwara, for residents and would-be investors.