By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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About forty persons have been convicted to one month imprisonment each, for violating various environmental offences, by an Environmental mobile Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti.
It was learnt that the convicts who are residents of Ekiti State, were apprehended within Ado-Ekiti metropolis at the weekend, during the April edition of the monthly sanitation exercise in the state.
The convicts who are majorly travellers and artisans were arraigned and prosecuted by the environmental officers in the state at the mobile court.
In her ruling, Magistrate Olubunmi Bamidele said the violators were guilty of the charges against them and consequently sentenced them to a month imprisonment each with an option of N5,000.
Reacting, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Babatunde Aloko, after monitoring the exercise, said it would not be business as usual.
He said government would not relent in its efforts at punishing the offenders, while sensitization through media would also be prioritized to promote sanitary compliance among the people.
Aloko said arrangements had been concluded to meet all local governments officials and market women on the need to always maintain hygienic environment so as to reduce the outbreak of diseases.
Reacting, the General Manager, Ekiti State Waste Management Agency, Mr Ayoola Osalusi, berated the attitude of residents of the state to waste disposal.
He urged them to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage and by the road side.
Also, the General Manager, State Environmental Protection Agency urged residents to avoid flooding, most especially in water logged areas. that are waterlogged logged.
