The Kwara State Government has warned that anyone who breaks environmental laws will be taken to court immediately, as mobile courts will now begin sitting in key areas of Ilorin, including the popular Oja-Oba market.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Musa Buge, gave the warning during a meeting with staff and management of the ministry at its headquarters in GRA, Ilorin.
This was contained in a statement signed by Muritala Shakirat, Press Secretary,
Monitoring and evaluation officer on Tuesday.
“We shall reactivate our Mobile Courts with immediate effect and ensure that people who violate environmental laws, by dumping refuse indiscriminately, or trading in illegal places like walkways, road medians, and main roads, shall be brought to book,”; she said.
Buge explained that the mobile courts will sit at strategic locations in Ilorin, especially at the Ilorin Central Market (Oja-Oba), to ensure full compliance with the law.
“Environmental Health Officers will work with security agencies to arrest and punish offenders. A magistrate will also be present to judge the cases. Those who cannot pay fines may be sent to correctional centres, and their goods will be seized,”; she added.
The commissioner said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration has invested in rebuilding infrastructure to keep the environment clean and safe.
She urged residents to ensure they have proper documents for their properties by contacting the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS).
She also warned the public to stop dumping waste in drainage systems and waterways to avoid flooding.
