Arbitrary Refuse Dumps: Oyo Government Prosecutes Environmental Offenders  

The Oyo State, Southwestern, Nigeria, Government has arrested and prosecuted environmental polluters, declaring that violators of environmental laws would have to pay N110,000 into government coffers as fine or serve a month community service.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, says the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, made the disclosure shortly after the ”arrest and prosecution” of 19 environmental polluters in Alakia, and Iwo Road areas, within Ibadan metropolis.

Mogbonjubola disclosed that the Ministry’s Environmental Task Force would henceforth embark on weekly exercises and that the fine would be fully enforced.

He said: “The Rule of Law in Oyo State would no longer tolerate arbitrary refuse dumping in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

“It is a big offence to drop refuse on road medians in Oyo State. People are creating a lot of bad spots for us, and it has been a terrible headache, especially throughout the festive periods… we won’t take this again,” the environment commissioner affirmed.

While appreciating well-meaning residents for showing understanding and compliance in making the state a clean and safe abode, Mogbonjubola affirmed that all environmental offenders would be prosecuted.

He assured of the government’s commitment towards ensuring a safe and conducive environment for the people of the state, residents, investors, and tourists.

Shakirat Sadiq