Flood Control: Nasarawa Steps Up Drainage Clearance, Arrests 126 Sanitation Defaulters

The Nasarawa State Government has intensified environmental sanitation enforcement and drainage clearance as part of efforts to curb flooding during the peak of the rainy season.

Officials said 126 people were arrested during the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise for breaching the state’s environmental sanitation laws.

Addressing journalists in Lafia on Saturday, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Margaret Elayo, represented by Permanent Secretary Mr. Ede Yakubu, said the exercise recorded a high level of public participation and improved compliance.

She explained that the government adopted a new enforcement approach by deploying surprise roadblocks at strategic points across the state.

“Today’s exercise was very effective because many defaulters were apprehended and prosecuted. People came out in large numbers to participate in the sanitation exercise.

“We had never mounted a roadblock near the College of Agriculture before, but we changed our strategy today and caught many violators by surprise. I personally led the team to monitor those entering and leaving the town, and that made the exercise more effective,” Elayo stated.

To strengthen flood prevention efforts, she said the Nasarawa State Waste Management Agency and the Nasarawa State Environmental Protection Agency would conduct daily inspections, evacuate waste regularly and intensify public awareness campaigns to discourage dumping refuse into drainage channels.

“Once the drainages are cleared to allow the free flow of water, flooding is greatly reduced. That is why we are moving from monthly sanitation monitoring to daily surveillance to ensure a cleaner environment,” she said.

Chief Prosecuting Officer Abubakar Mohammed confirmed the arrest of 126 violators, noting that commercial tricycle operators constituted the majority of those apprehended.

He said compliance with the sanitation exercise remained high, with most shops observing the restriction by remaining closed during the exercise.

Mohammed further disclosed that authorities had stepped up enforcement of drainage desilting in accordance with Section 13 of the state’s environmental law, which mandates residents to clear drainages adjoining their properties.

“Last week alone, we arrested 16 people for violating the drainage clearance directive. If you go around town now, you will see residents clearing refuse to keep the environment clean and ensure the free flow of water,” he said.

According to him, the state will sustain its monthly sanitation exercise while complementing it with daily waste evacuation and continuous public sensitisation to minimise flooding during the rainy season.

Africans Angle News