The Ekiti State Government has prosecuted 55 persons for alleged violations of environmental sanitation regulations during the February monthly clean-up exercise.
A statement issued on Monday in Ado Ekiti by the state Ministry of Environment, and made available to PUNCH Online, said the offenders were arraigned for breaching the sanitation order during the restricted hours on Saturday.
According to the statement, magistrates who presided over the cases fined 54 of the offenders, while one person was pardoned.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Sunday Omoya, spoke while monitoring residents’ compliance in Ado Ekiti.
“The initiative is aimed at encouraging people to take responsibility for their environment. We want to ensure that everyone understands the importance and purpose of this exercise and fully complies,” Omoya said.
He warned that anyone found on the streets without a legitimate reason during the restricted hours would face sanctions.
Also speaking, the Director of Environmental Health and Sanitation, Ayodele Aluko, emphasised the strong link between environmental cleanliness and public health.
“As we pursue growth and development, we must also ensure good health for our people. A clean environment remains fundamental to healthy living,” Aluko said.
He added that blocked drainage systems and polluted surroundings were major contributors to disease outbreaks.
The government reiterated its resolve to continue enforcing sanitation laws and urged residents to comply with future exercises to promote a cleaner and healthier environment.
The monthly environmental sanitation exercise requires residents across the state to remain indoors for a specified period while cleaning their surroundings.
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