No fewer than 196 persons were arrested by the environmental sanitation enforcement officers in Nasarawa State for violating sanitation laws.

Garba Rosha, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the sanitation exercise on Saturday in Lafia.

Mr Rosha explained that the sanitation defaulters were mostly commercial motorists.

“Shop owners complied, but we are having problems with the motorists, motorcycle and tricycle riders,” said Mr Rosha. “We intend to invite their leaders for a discussion to ensure compliance from their members.”

“Issues of environmental sustainability, preservation and conservation should be a concern for all of us,” he added.

The permanent secretary noted that no one except those on emergency or essential services are exempted from the exercise.

He thanked Governor Abdullahi Sule, security personnel and traditional rulers, particularly the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage, for supporting the exercise.

On the allegations of extortion and bribery by personnel issuing passes, Mr Rosha said the issuance of the pass was free. He warned that any officer caught compromising would be dealt with decisively.

“Pass is to be given to essential workers or for an emergency for free, sanitation is not an avenue for revenue generation.

“Going forward, the pass will not be given on sanitation day but a day to sanitation at the Ministry of Environment,”  he declared.

Also speaking, Abubakar Mohammed, the chief prosecutor and director of enforcement at the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority, said defaulters would be prosecuted.

Mr Mohammed said the 196 defaulters were apprehended in Awe, Keana, Obi, Lafia, Doma, Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, Wamba, Keffi, and Karu. 

(NAN)