Environmental Sanitation Offenders Fined N1m In Ogun

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA

About one million naira have been generated as fines by Ogun State government from a total of one hundred and twenty eight (128) environmental sanitation offenders recently apprehended and prosecuted by the state government.

The offenders apprehended and prosecuted in major towns and cities across the state later pleaded guilty to the offence, and were fined between N5,000 and N10,000 to serve as deterrent to others would be offenders.

The arrest was part of the state government determination at maintaining clean environment and reduce incessant flooding that has wrecked havoc on residents across the state.

These offenders were caught in operation clean Ogun State carried out in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ota, Ifo, Mowe and Ibafo having found guilty of dumping refuse on roads, medians, water courses and canals which contravened the state environmental laws thereby aiding flooding that destroyed public and private properties as well as infringing on public peace and safety.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Ola Oresanya while reacting to the arrest and successful prosecution hinted that it would serve as deterrent to others.

Oresanya, who also is the Head of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) expressed that the enforcement of the state environmental laws would continue, while urging residents to patronize waste managers assigned to their areas.

He added that Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration has since January accredited and assigned one hundred and twenty(120) PSP waste managers to various local governments for effective collection of refuse to stop illegal dumping of refuse and stop the spread of diseases and destruction of public and private infrastructure.

Moreover, he promised that the state government would continue to invest in waste management infrastructure, urging members of the public to support the various initiatives through its waste management cellular economic programs such as waste-recycling, waste-use and waste-reduction.

Furthermore, Oresanya reiterated the state government’s commitment to bequeath a safe and clean environment. “The enforcement of the state environmental laws will continue through the arrest of erring members of the public by the state environmental health personnel and the Nigeria Police, Ogun State Command.”