NAN-AE-11
Environment
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, March 9, 2017 (NAN)The Oyo State Government on Thursday shut seven shops at Ojoo market in Ibadan and arraigned 21 persons for flouting the state’s environmental laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi had at a rally on Feb. 1 vowed that violation of environmental laws in the state would now attract stiff penalties.
NAN reports that the sensitisation rally was held to herald the enforcement of the environmental laws which commenced on Feb. 2
The 21 people caught allegedly flouting the laws were arraigned before the Environmental Tribunal sitting at the State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
They were charged with offences ranging from dumping of refuse on the road median, displaying of wares under high tension wire to engaging in street trading.
The offenders were also charged for obstructing the environmental enforcement team and were consequently fined between N5,000 and N25,000.
Mr Isaac Ishola, the state’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, ordered the shutting of the shops while monitoring the weekly environmental sanitation exercise within Ibadan metropolis.
Ishola also expressed displeasure on the poor sanitary condition of Ojoo market which he attributed to the negligence of some shop owners.
He lamented the recalcitrant attitude of some people to the environmental policy in spite of the concerted efforts of the present administration in ensuring a healthy and safe environment.
The commissioner warned traders, shop owners, motorists and the general public to desist from violating the environmental laws.
“The people have been warned not to dump refuse indiscriminately, construct shanties on drainages or water ways and should not display wares on road setback or under high tension wire.
“The rainy season is fast approaching and we must collectively ensure that there is no flooding in the state,” he said.
Ishola enjoined residents to embrace cleanliness, saying addressing environmental issues was a collective responsibility.(NAN)
TAA/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)