The Nasarawa State government has expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance by members of the public during the December general sanitation, which is the last in 2023.

Yusuf Adeka, general manager, Nasarawa State Environmental Protection Agency, gave the commendation while addressing journalists after the December exercise on Saturday in Lafia.

He described the level of compliance as impressive and attributed it to support from security agencies, traditional rulers, media, as well as inspection teams from the ministry of environment and natural resources.

He also commended the residents, especially shop owners, for clearing drains around their environments and shops, as well as motorists for keeping off the roads during the exercise.

Mr Adeka also appealed to chairmen of various local government areas (LGAs) to key into the exercise in order to ensure its success.

He explained that the exercise would be strengthened in 2024 to achieve the essence of reintroducing it in 2019 by Gov. Abdullahi Sule.

He called on members of the public to always keep their environments clean to guard against the outbreak of all diseases.

“Residents should cooperate more with the government towards ensuring that the state is clean in their best interest.

“If the environment is s kept clean, it will guard against a possible outbreak of any disease, thereby ensuring improved healthy living of the people,’’ he added.

He said Nasarawa State would sustain its status of cleanliness, as the government had set aside the last Saturday of every month for sanitation.

Meanwhile, 15 persons were apprehended in Lafia LGA for alleged violation of environmental sanitation laws.

The general manager of the agency explained that they were caught transacting their businesses and driving around during the hours set aside for the exercise.

(NAN)