The Kwara State Government has reiterated its warning to individuals and organisations that flout environmental regulations, stating that anyone caught violating the rules will face severe consequences, as reported by Punch.

The Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge, issued the warning during the monthly environmental exercise held across the state on Saturday.

Hajia Buge emphasized that the state government is committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment, and will not tolerate any practices that compromise the well-being of its citizens.

The commissioner in a statement by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Kamaldeen Aliagan, said, “It was really sad that almost 150 sanitation offenders were apprehended by the Task Force Team, who went round to monitor the exercise and have been charged to mobile courts sitting at various locations across the state.”

Buge said despite sensitisation and advocacy campaigns on both print and electronic media as well as other social media platforms, violators still dared the law by coming out during the exercise, especially the commercial Okada and tricycle riders as well as marketwomen who were going about selling their wares illegally during the sanitation hours.

“We often start media advocacy and sensitisation from Monday that precedes the sanitation day, and also engage media houses and different social media platforms to disseminate information on sanitation, till Saturday morning, before the commencement of the exercise. Yet, some people went about their business in violation of the law.

“This is unacceptable. Violators will therefore be dealt with, within the ambit of the law,” she reaffirmed.

The commissioner however expressed happiness about the fact that the exercise was “successful and will continue to improve until we achieve full compliance from residents.”

Buge reassured the public that the present administration would not relent in its efforts to sustain a clean and hygienic environment for the Kwara residents.