The Nasarawa government says it has begun drain construction projects to address ecological challenges in major towns across the state.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Yakubu Kwanta, said this while inspecting the monthly environmental sanitation exercise on Saturday in Lafia.

He said the project is being implemented in collaboration between the state government and the World Bank to address ecological problems in parts of the state.

“We have started the construction of the drainage system in Lafia; it will be extended to Doma, Keffi and Nasarawa Local Government Areas,” he said.

He said the government had also strengthened the capacity of sanitary inspectors in the 13 local government areas to enhance sanitation and protect the environment.

The commissioner, who expressed satisfaction with compliance with the November sanitation exercise, attributed the feat to the support of security agencies, community leaders, media and the ministry’s inspection team.

He commended the residents, especially shop owners, for the clearance exercise of blocked waterways in their environments, noting the trend resulted in low incidents of flood disasters in the state.

Mr Kwanta urged the people to keep a clean environment to guard against the outbreak of diseases.

“Residents should cooperate more with the government towards ensuring a clean environment, it is in their best interest.

“If the environment is clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of diseases, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Abubakar Mohammed, chief environment officer in the ministry, said the mobile courts had prosecuted 73 persons for allegedly violating the environmental sanitation laws across the state. 

(NAN)