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.
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