Cholera: Indiscriminate dumping of refuse attracts penalty – Kwara govt warns

In a bid to prevent the outbreak of cholera and ensure a healthy environment, the Kwara State Government, through the Ministry of Environment, has warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on pedestrians, road medians, by roadsides, inside drainages and other unauthorised areas, saying this will inhibit the free flow of water, to sustain clean and healthy environments.

Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, the state commissioner for Environment, on Wednesday, during an advocacy visit to the Association of Marketers’ secretariat, Ago market, Ilorin, the state capital, said while it is necessary to sensitise marketers on compliance with environmental laws, it is an offence, punishable under environmental laws, for any marketer to display goods on pedestrian paths, medians, and any other area that will hinder both vehicular and peoples movement.

She said, “indiscriminate dumping of refuse on pedestrian paths, road medians, and any other unapproved dump sites will attract a fine ranging from 50,000 to N500,000 naira or outright imprisonment, as the case may be.”

While assuring them that the government would look into their requests, she warned further that “anyone caught selling goods on pedestrian or road medians or dumping refuse indiscriminately will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly. 

The commissioner, while appreciating the support of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in sensitising the public on the need to comply with the state environmental laws, is the individual’s duty to ensure a healthy environment in the state.

According to her, “Our visit is to appreciate your support for the present administration under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as well as  to sensitize you on the need to comply with the state Environmental Laws, for us to achieve the policy thrust of government, aimed at eradicating road encroachment, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and open defecations in the State.”

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Ayinla, acknowledged the Marketers Association for the warm welcome accorded the Honourable Commissioner and her team, appealing to them to be law-abiding in the interest of all.

Earlier, in their separate responses, the Babaloja and Acting Iyaloja of Kwara State, Alhaji Saad Abdullahi and Alhaja Muibat Olumoh commended the state government for engaging in various projects that have a direct impact on the lives of Kwarans and for taking the bold step to stop the encroachment of roads and the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the state.

They, however, assured the state government of the association’s support by maintaining sanity while also requesting more toilet facilities in the market to permanently put a stop to open defecation and clearing of the age-long illegal dump site in the market.