Some residents of Kano State have expressed support for the state assembly’s recent approval of a bill aimed at addressing public littering and open defecation.

The state assembly on Tuesday passed a bill on the Landscaping and Beautification Agency.

The new legislation was passed with the overwhelming backing of the state assembly.

The bill imposes a fine of N25,000 on anyone caught littering, urinating, or defecating in public places.

This followed deliberations on the committee of the whole and the third reading of the bill by the Deputy Clerk, Nasiru Magaji, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Jibril Isma’il Falgore.

The assembly agreed that the agency established by the bill would be responsible for setting up gardens, planting flowers, and preventing indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

The agency will be governed by a board comprising a chairman and 10 members, including professionals knowledgeable in engineering and beautification.

Some residents, therefore, applauded the bill, saying that when signed into law, it would promote and impact public health and the overall cleanliness of their neighbourhoods.

A resident of Tarauni, Abdulsalam Muhammad, said that the local communities had long raised concerns over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse and public hygiene.

Mr Muhammad noted that the bill was in response to increased unsanitary practices in the metropolis.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy and respectful public space for residents.

A resident of Nasarawa, Muhammad Kabir, who described the bill as a step in the right direction, said that streets had been increasingly littered and unhygienic from the behaviour of residents.

According to him, the bill, if assent to by the governor, will help to restore the dignity of the city.

Another resident, Ibrahim Umar, also lauded the state assembly for approving the bill targeted at curbing public littering and open defecation.

An environmentalist, Baba Ali, said that the bill would not only enhance the quality of life of residents but also create a safer, more pleasant environment, particularly under bridges and abandoned spaces.

He said, “The move is long overdue, and I hope it will lead to stringent enforcement and public awareness of cleanliness.’’

He, however, called on the state government to build public conveniences to enable residents to ease themselves as they go about their business.

He stated, “It is the lack of functional standard toilets that makes people defecate in the open, not minding the effects of their action.”

He also urged the government to evolve measures to ensure standard refuse evacuation and disposal, sanction or fine defaulters.  (NAN)