Fifty- two violators of Environmental sanitation laws have been prosecuted at the Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, presided by Magistrate Olubunmi Bamidele during the February environmental sanitation exercise.
37 violators were fined while 15 others were pardoned. In her ruling, Magistrate Bamidele emphasized that the offenders failed to comply with the state’s Environmental Health and Sanitation Guidelines, warning that such negligence poses a serious threat to public health and safety.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government has urged residents to maintain a high level of environmental hygiene and obey rules and regulations to avoid prosecution in future exercises.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Erelu Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe made the plea during the sanitation exercise in Ado-Ekiti.
She reiterated that environmental sanitation is a collective responsibility, encouraging residents to actively participate in keeping their surroundings clean.
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Tunde Balogun, Aluko-Ajisafe reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring a hygienic and sustainable environment.
She warned that violators of sanitation laws would continue to face strict penalties as part of the enforcement strategy to maintain compliance.
While calling on community leaders and stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns on the importance of sanitation, the Commissioner affirmed that, enforcing sanitation laws was a proactive measure to prevent diseases outbreak from poor hygiene.
During the exercise, environmental health officials and Sanitation Task Force, led by the Director of Environmental Health and Sanitation, Mr. Ayodele Aluko,
monitored compliance and enforced restriction of movement in Ado Ekiti.