*arrests 18 defaulters during this month’s exercise

By David Odama

LAFIA – IN order to ensure environmental cleaniness, reduce pollution and curb outbreak of diseases, Nasarawa state government has declared war on filthy environment in the state.

Consequently, it has created refuse dumps in strategic locations across the state to ensure proper collection and disposals of waste products generated.

This is even as over 18 environmental defaulters were arrested during this month’s exercise in the state.

State Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Yakubu Kwanta who stated this while briefing Journalists shortly after monitoring the exercise in Lafia, said government has henceforth declared that communities, Local governments and individuals found waiting in keeping their surroundings clean would be made to face stiffer sanctions in accordance with the estant environmental laws in the state.

“In order to ensure that Nasarawa is ranked among states with high records of environmental cleaniness, the state government has created refuse dumps and provided refuse disposals for effective collections of waste in the state.

“Government would henceforth clamp down on communities, Local government and individuals that will default in the environmental extant laws in the state”.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Chief Environmental Officer of the Ministry, Abubakar Mohammed, said about 18 persons were arrested during this month’s sanitation exercise for violation of the environmental law in the state.

Kwanta who noted with satisfaction the high level of compliance during the exercise, said a house to house approach has been adopted to ensure participation of every household in the exercise during the exercise in Nasarawa state.