Nasarawa government apprehends 22 tricycles for violating sanitation laws

The enforcement team from the Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources arrested 22 tricycle operators and 23 other persons for allegedly violating environmental sanitation laws in Lafia the state capital.

Chief Prosecuting Officer of the Ministry Mr Abubakar Mohammed, disclosed to journaliats in Lafia after the May sanitation exercise in the state.

He said that the offenders were arrested by their men for transacting their private businesses while the sanitation exercise was in progress.

Mohammed said that the offenses violated the provisions of Section 9 (2) of the State environmental sanitation law.

He expressed displeasure over the attitude of the tricycle riders for operating during sanitation exercise despite the agreement reached with their union.

“We meet with the leadership of the tricycle and motorcycle riders in the state and they assured us that their members would not work during sanitation exercise, but wonder why they are still operating,” he said.

He explained that the offenders were prosecuted by the Mobile Court to serve as a deterrent to others in subsequent exercises.

Meanwhile, the Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) of the ministry, Mr Yusuf Kadon, expressed satisfaction about the level of compliance with the exercise.

The PS said that about 70 percent of the residents complied by locking at their shops and business to clean the surrounding during the exercise.

Mr. Kadon lauded the traditional rulers, Chairmen of Area Councils as well as the security agencies for the success of the exercise.

He called on members of the public to always keep their environment clean to guard against outbreaks of diseases.

“Residents should cooperate more with the government towards ensuring that the slate is clean in their best interest.

“If the environment is kept clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of any disease, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,” he added.