Kwara launches Ant-Dumping task force, prohibits scavenging activities.

On Monday, the Kwara state government announced a ban on scavenging activities in Iloin, the state capital, as a key measure to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal

At the launch of the Environmental Taskforce in Ilorin, Commissioner Hajia Nafisat Buge directed previously registered scavengers to operate at the designated government dump site in Sokoto-Aiyekale.

The commissioner said that “over 300 environmental task force officers had been mobilised to keep 24-hour environmental surveillance and enforcement in five units of over 70 earmarked locations in the metropolis.

Buge announced that those caught dumping refuse indiscriminately would face prosecution, with penalties ranging from #50,000 to #500,000 and a six month jail term, depending on the offender’s status.

She, further explained that “the ministry formulated a third option in the form of community service for a number of days for offenders found guilty of indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

The commissioner said that “members of the task force comprised 75 environmental volunteers, men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilance teams, legal officers, Ilorin Emirate Development Progressive Union, and environmental officers, among others.

“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.

“The menace of indiscriminate dumping of refuse is an unacceptable phenomenon that requires urgent attention, most especially within the metropolis.

“The attendant dangers and effect of this menace is alarming and could be devastating if left unattended.”

The Environment Commissioner said that the ministry had undertaken sensitization activities with different stakeholders, including traditional leaders, the market traders’ Association, the road Transports, the Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressive Union, the Youth wings, and many other interest groups.

“We have in the process received blessings and support of all the aforementioned stakeholders, including Mai Martaba, Sarki-Ilori, Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Council of Chief, HRH, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and all the Baloguns and Alaguas of the Ilorin Emirate.

She also called for cooperation and support of all to ensure compliance with the new sets of strategies to foster a cleaner and greener Kwara under the present administration in the state.

“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 is not acceptable and will be penalized.

“More roll-roll (waste) bins have been provided at strategic locations to serve as collection points for onward 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”, said the Commissioner.