By Abbas Nazil
In a renewed move to uphold environmental hygiene standards, no fewer than 30 individuals were convicted by a magistrates’ court in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, for breaching the state’s environmental sanitation law.
The convictions followed their arrest during the May edition of the monthly clean-up exercise, which is part of the government’s drive to maintain cleanliness across the state.
The offenders, apprehended at various locations within the state capital during the designated sanitation hours, were each sentenced to one month of community service.
However, the court granted them the alternative of paying a fine, the specific amount of which was not disclosed.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, disclosed the development in a statement released on Monday.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting a clean and healthy environment, warning that it would no longer tolerate non-compliance with environmental sanitation regulations.
According to her, the administration led by Governor Biodun Oyebanji is determined to enforce the law and instill a culture of cleanliness among residents, noting that environmental hygiene is a shared civic responsibility that requires the active participation of all citizens.
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Aluko-Ajisafe stressed the importance of the monthly sanitation exercise as a crucial initiative aimed at improving public health and enhancing the environmental condition of the state.
She called on all residents to take the exercise seriously and integrate regular sanitation into their lifestyle as a civic duty.
The commissioner emphasized that the monthly cleanup was not merely a symbolic gesture but a targeted action to address public health concerns and environmental degradation.
The commissioner also raised concern over a disturbing trend observed during the sanitation hours—certain religious organizations, especially those located in markets and commercial areas, were reportedly providing refuge for individuals seeking to avoid participation in the cleanup exercise.
Aluko-Ajisafe condemned this practice, describing it as an act of sabotage that threatens the success of the sanitation initiative.
She warned that the state government would not hesitate to take strict action against any religious group found aiding and abetting non-compliance with sanitation directives.
She maintained that the administration would enforce the law impartially and would clamp down on any entity that seeks to obstruct the objectives of the state’s environmental policies.
In her words, “Cleanliness is a shared responsibility, and everyone must play their part.”
The recent convictions are part of a broader campaign by the Ekiti State Government to instill discipline, promote public hygiene, and ensure that the environment remains clean and safe for all residents.
