The Ogun State Government has announced that residents caught violating environmental laws especially dumping refuse on roads will henceforth be arrested, corrected with compassion, and assigned community service as punishment.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, disclosed this while briefing members of the Governor’s Elders Advisory Council during their fourth quarterly meeting at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
“Under no condition should you dump refuse on the road. Ogun state waste management agency has the authority to arrest offenders, and those arrested will do community service.
“We will correct in love. You will sweep the road and collect refuse. When people see you doing that, they will understand the consequences, and you won’t return to the same habit,” the commissioner said.
Oresanya said that the law forbids dumping refuse on roadways, noting that streets are not designated as dump sites.
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The commissioner explained that residents are expected to place their refuse in front of their homes for Private Sector Participants to collect directly at their doorsteps.
He said that the state government is refining its enforcement strategy by shifting away from monetary fines to reduce financial pressure on citizens. Instead, offenders will be required to undertake community service.
According to him, Governor Dapo Abiodun remains deeply concerned about environmental management in the state and is investing significantly in new equipment to strengthen the Ministry of Environment’s operations.
Oresanya stated that Governor Abiodun has approved the procurement of brand-new trucks both for the state waste management agency and the private waste sector to improve waste management across the state.
Addressing the issue of noise pollution, the commissioner disclosed that the ministry has shut several religious centres and other facilities found to be violating noise regulations.
He encouraged residents to report such disturbances through the ministry’s dedicated helpline: 09010480056.
The commissioner emphasised that sanitation should be a daily responsibility rather than a once-a-month ritual. He noted that Section 6 of the Constitution empowers Local Government Health Officers to inspect homes, ensure bins are not overflowing, and prosecute erring households.
Source: Channels TV
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