The Nasarawa State government has revealed that it is considering demolishing shops blocking waterways at the popular Lafia Modern Market.

Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Yakubu Kwanta, said this while speaking to journalists after the October monthly sanitation in Lafia on Saturday.

Mr Kwanta, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Abdullahi Agwai, said the government was working to reduce the impact of the flooding in the state.

The commissioner asserted that “The ministry will not allow anybody to block the waterways. It is not a friendly environmental practice. We won’t allow it.”

He described the October edition of the environmental sanitation as very successful and commended the council, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and security agencies for their efforts to promote environmental cleanliness.

The commissioner urged sanitary inspectors to ensure effective house-to-house inspection in the interest of environmental safety.

“It is our collective duty to keep our environment clean and safe. We have to do so in the interest of public health,” he said.

No fewer than 63 persons were arrested during the exercise over alleged violation of the state environmental sanitation laws.

(NAN)