The Nasarawa State Government, North Central Nigeria, has called on youth groups and community leaders to embrace Governor Abdullahi Sule’s environmental sanitation initiative to ensure a healthy, safe, and clean environment across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Margaret Etake Elayo, made the call in Lafia during a sanitation exercise organised by the Kilema Youth Development Association (KIYDAL).
Represented by the General Manager of the Nasarawa State Environmental Protection Agency (NASEPA), Iliya Adeka, the Commissioner praised KIYDAL for setting a benchmark for other communities.
She noted that the association has remained a consistent and voluntary partner with the ministry in its monthly sanitation efforts.
“Kilema youths have set a pace for others to follow. If youths in other communities emulate this level of dedication, it will significantly bolster the ministry’s success in keeping the entire state clean,” Elayo stated.
While expressing satisfaction with the high level of compliance among Lafia residents, the Commissioner reaffirmed Governor Sule’s commitment to collaborating with youth groups that actively support state initiatives.
She also issued a stern warning to residents against dumping refuse in waterways, highlighting the increased risk of flooding as the rainy season approaches.
Enforcement and Legal Compliance
In a related development, the Ministry’s Chief Prosecuting Officer, Abubakar Muhammad, disclosed that 25 Keke NAPEP (tricycle) operators were apprehended during the exercise for breaching sanitation laws.
Responding to the commendation, the Chairman of KIYDAL, Usman Abubakar Zanwa, explained that the voluntary exercise was organised to complement Governor Sule’s vision for a cleaner Nasarawa.
Zanwa noted that this was not the first time the association had spearheaded such an initiative and appealed to the Ministry for continued support to ensure the sustainability of the exercise within the Kilema community.