A Kwara court has convicted 40 individuals for indiscriminate refuse dumping and illegal scavenging activities.
On Friday, 40 individuals were given a three-month jail sentence each by the Magistrate Court in Ilorin for breaking Kwara State’s Environmental Law.
The Ilorin residents who stood trial for various charges, including improper waste disposal, trespassing and unauthorized scavenging pleaded guilty to their respective crimes.
According to Section 5 subsection 1-4 of the State Environmental Law, Magistrate Saidu Tunde Abdulkareem has imposed a sentence of three months imprisonment on each defendant. Alternatively, they can pay a fine worth N50,000.
As per the court’s records, thirty-one individuals were taken into custody for their indiscriminate disposal of waste and nine others were apprehended for engaging in illegal scavenging.
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The Kwara State Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Nafisat Buge, expressed her approval of the judgement. She highlighted that enforcing the environmental law continuously aims to prevent outbreaks of diseases, flooding disasters and other hazards caused by indiscriminate refuse dumping.
A new 300-member task force was recently introduced by the ministry to apprehend those who violate environmental regulations, specifically related to unlawful waste disposal, trespassing and unauthorized scavenging.
“On Tuesday, the task force began implementing enforcement measures and apprehended some individuals,” she stated. “We have a mobile court within our ministry that handles their prosecution similar to what we observed today.”
Buge stated that the public has been receiving sensitization from the ministry to deter them from engaging in such practices.
She further stated that scavenging in the Ilorin metropolis had been prohibited by a law enacted by the state House of Assembly. From now on, their operations are confined to a dump site designated by the government along Sokoto Aiyekale expressway.
“We have engaged in physical measures to combat the issue of indiscriminate dumping of waste. Additionally, we launched a media advocacy campaign aimed at raising awareness among our population about the hazards associated with this practice and encouraging them to cease it.”
Residents of Ilorin were advised by the commissioner to utilize Roro bins, which are stationed at strategic points in the metropolis, or engage commercial waste collectors who only charge a minimal fee for efficient rubbish disposal.
“The exercise,” she stated, “will persist as long as individuals continue to indulge in the unlawful act of dumping refuse.”
“After conducting a thorough analysis of our drainages, it has come to our attention that improper disposal of waste is the root cause for majority of blockages. Although we are currently fixing this issue, we do not want these actions to persist any further. Henceforth, as commissioner I am committed to ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment within our state,” stated the official.
