The Anambra State Government said it’s resolved to stamp out street trading, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, open defecation and urinating in unauthorised places by fully enforcing the provisions of the law.

Managing Director, Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade, Celestine Anere, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Awka.

Mr Anere said the enforcement was to protect the environment and ensure that activities of buying and selling were taken off the roads– into market areas designed for such.

“The ‘ember’ months is a period of increased economic activities heralding the yuletide season; many traders may be tempted to leave their shops and trade on major roads to make brisk profits. This is what necessitated the enforcement; I appeal to traders to conduct their transactions inside the markets because defaulters will be arrested and their goods confiscated by officers of OCHA.

“Aside street trading, our men are  prepared to step up enforcement of the relevant sections of the laws prohibiting indiscriminate refuse duping, open defecation and urinating in public places, such as parks and walkways. Individuals, who will host different social events this season, should endeavour to provide temporary or mobile toilets for their guests to mitigate open defecation. The host of the event will be sanctioned when such laws are flouted during such gatherings,” he said.

Mr Anere urged residents to be well informed of the state environmental laws to avoid punishment.

(NAN)