Thirty seven persons were arrested and convicted by the Ekiti State Waste Management Authority (EKSWMA) for contravening the state environmental law in the month of March.
The EKSWMA Manager, Mr. Femi Osasona who made this known while addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, said the culprits were arrested for indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
According to him, the offenders were apprehended by Enforcement Officers of the Agency at various points in Ado metropolis which include Adehun in Adebayo, Post Office area, Ijigbo, Basiri amongst other places.
The Manager, who frowned at the non-challant attitude of some people towards waste disposal in the state stressed that whoever is caught dumping refuse in unauthorized points would be made to face the wrath of the law.
He said government was working on a new innovation that would not only make waste management and disposal effective and easier but would also guarantee cleaner and hygienic environment.
Mr. Osasona said some of the offenders were fined #5000 each while those who could not pay the fine were punished by being made to clean the streets.
The EKSWMA Manager advised the people to dispose their waste properly into the “Dino” bins in their areas to prevent preventable outbreak of diseases.
Also contributing, the Director of Enforcement in the Agency, Mr. Ariyo Adebusuyi said part of their responsibility was to move round the town nooks and crannies of the towns regularly every day to ensure that people dispose their waste properly and ensure clean and hygienic environment.
He mentioned recalcitrant attitude of the people and lack of necessary equipment as major challenges militating against their job.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
