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The Kwara State Government has banned scavengers from operating in Ilorin, the state capital, restricting scavenging activities to the government dump site located at Sokoto-Aiyekale along Ilorin-Jebba Expressway.
The commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge, announced this on Monday while inaugurating members of the Environmental Task Force at the Ministry headquarters, Ilorin.
She said the ban on scavengers’ activities within Ilorin metropolis was part of new strategies to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the state.
The commissioner said that over 300 environmental task force officers have been mobilised to keep 24-hour environmental surveillance and enforcement in five units at over 70 earmarked locations in the metropolis.
Warned that anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately in any part of the state would be prosecuted according to law, said that punishment ranges between an N50,000 fine for individuals, N150,000 for corporate outfits, and between N250,000 and N500,000 for big firms, as well as a six-month jail term.
She, however, said that the ministry has formulated a third option in the form of community service for a number of days for offenders found guilty of indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
“We are in the season when indiscriminate dumping of refuse is more rampant.
“It is, therefore, pertinent for a responsible government to take action in order to sustain a clean and hygienic environment for the healthy living of its people.
“Scavenging is no longer allowed in the metropolis. All previously registered scavengers are advised to do their business at the government dump site at Sokoto-Aiyekale off the Expressway.
“The menace of indiscriminate dumping of refuse is an unacceptable phenomenon that requires urgent attention, most especially within the metropolis.
“The attendant dangers and effects of this menace are alarming and could be devastating if left unattended.
“It is illegal to dump refuse on road medians, road dividers, roundabouts, gutters, drainage channels, and waterways.
“Trading activities beyond the gutter on the roadside are not acceptable and will be penalised.
“More roll-roll (waste) bins have been provided at strategic locations to serve as collection points for onwards conveyance of waste to the government-approved dump site.
“The 38 registered commercial waste consultants have been charged to be more responsive in their duties of providing services to the populace at a token amount.
“Medium-sized “waste collection bins” have also been designed for shop owners and households to ensure proper disposal of refuse.”
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