From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
No fewer than 30 offenders were slammed various terms of imprisonment with option of fine by the State Environmental Mobile Court, during Saturday’s state-wide sanitization exercise in Kano.
They were found guilty for violating the enviromental laws and regulations in the state.
The State Commissioner of Environment, Dr. Kabiru Getso, told journalists shortly after the exercise, which ended at 10 a.m., that the court ordered that the persons woukd serve various terms of imprisonment with option of fine for violating the enviromental laws and regulations.
According to him, the offences commited by the persons include building on water ways, Indiscriminate dumping of waste and building materials in the drainages which are the leading factors contributing to flooding in some part of the State.
He listed other offences to include, restaurants operating without the standard requirements, hotels without habitation permits and some companies found wanting for emitting pollution injurious to the health of the people among other offences.
Dr. Getso stated that, “we got judgement delivered by one of the 12 mobile courts attached to the Ministry.
“More than 30 enviromental violators were sanctioned. Their offences ranges from building on water ways, Indiscriminate dumping of waste and building materials in the drainages which are the leading factors contributing to flooding in some part of the State.
“Similarly, some hotel and restaurant operators who operate without obtaining certificate of habitation from the ministry for hoteliers which they must apply for and await officials from the State Ministry of Environment to visit the location to ensure they have put in place every necessary environmental friendly measures and ensure its not situated in a harzadous area where the health of persons patronizing them would be endangered.
“Others include companies emitting excessive and poisonous smokes and pollution injurious to the health of the people among other offences.
“Punishment melted on them varies. Some were imprisoned for three months with option of fine while some got one month imprisonment with option of fine, it varies.
“These are efforts done to safeguard the health of the people and ensure they have conducive environment.”
According bro him, a pollution control law is underway in the state to deal decisively with defaulters.
He further stated that, “the Ministry has drafted a State Pollution Control Bill which his Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has approved and currently passed first reading in the state assembly floor.
“The Bill when passed into law will help put an end to issues of environmental offences as it contains stiffer punishment for defaulters. The law has penalty for any form of crime against our environment.
“We must do everything to protect it because failure to do so exposes us to all forms of natural disasters.”
