The Kwara State Government has again reiterated its commitment to stopping the encroachment of roads by marketers and traders in some major markets in the state.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman stated this while answering questions from journalists in his office, on Wednesday.
The Commissioner disclosed that Environmental officers from the Ministry have started sensitization for marketers in some major markets in the state on the need to adhere strictly to the policy of the present administration under the leadership of His Excellency, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on road encroachment, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and open defecation or face the full wrath of the law.
Mallam Ndanusa further said, that starting from the first week of February, any marketer caught displaying goods on the pedestrian paths, medians and any other area that will inhibit the free movement of vehicles or people plying the road will have his/her goods confiscated.
In addition, the Commissioner stated that the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on pedestrian paths, medians and any other unapproved dump site will attract a fine of N50,000 for individuals and N200,000 naira for corporate organisations or imprisonment.
The Commissioner therefore charged the marketers to join hands with the present administration in its bid to eradicate road encroachment, indiscriminate dumping of refuse and open defecation to promote healthy living in the state.
In a related development, the Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to regulating the operation of scavengers in the State, to ensure the security of lives and properties of the people and also increase the revenue drive of the state.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman made this known yesterday during the flag-off of the distribution of Uniform Jackets with codes to scavengers for proper identification of scavengers across the State, held at the Ministry’s conference hall, Ilorin.
According to him, “Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is a man of his word, after he approved the registration of the scavengers last month, he also directed the Ministry to produce and distribute uniform jackets to all the scavengers in Kwara State for security control and peaceful living of all residents.”
In addition, the Commissioner said, the uniform jackets will have an identity code for identification.
Mallam Ndanusa however warned scavengers in the state to stay away from criminal activities and operate by all relevant environmental laws, otherwise, they will face the full wrath of the law.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim commended the present administration for creating an enabling environment for the Ministry to operate through various laudable projects done in the Ministry.
She however urged residents of the state, especially scavengers, to adhere strictly to the environmental laws to avoid arrest and prosecution.
Earlier, in his remark, the representative of the National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria, Mallam Jelili commended the State Government for always listening to the yearnings of the masses, most especially, some of his laudable projects that have had direct impact in the life of the common man.
He however assured of their readiness to cooperate with the government to achieve its target of effective road management and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
