The Nasarawa State Government has increased environmental monitoring efforts across the state as part of measures to prevent flooding during the rainy season.
The government disclosed that 126 residents were arrested during the July monthly sanitation exercise for allegedly breaching sanitation regulations.
Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Margaret Elayo, made the disclosure on Saturday in Lafia while speaking with journalists after the exercise. She was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ede Yakubu.
Elayo described the sanitation exercise as successful, noting that residents’ participation was impressive. She attributed the improved enforcement to the introduction of surprise checkpoints in strategic locations across the state.
According to her, the decision to establish unexpected roadblocks helped authorities apprehend more offenders, including those moving around during the sanitation period.
She said the state government had shifted focus from only monthly sanitation exercises to daily environmental monitoring as part of efforts to keep drainage channels clear and reduce the risk of flooding.
The commissioner explained that the Nasarawa State Waste Management Agency and the Nasarawa State Environmental Protection Agency would deploy workers daily to evacuate waste, monitor public spaces and educate residents on proper waste disposal.
“Once gutters are cleared and water can flow freely, the chances of flooding are reduced. This is why we are moving from monthly checks to daily monitoring,” she said.
Meanwhile, the agency’s Chief Prosecuting Officer, Abubakar Mohammed, confirmed that 126 offenders were arrested during the exercise, with Keke riders making up the majority of those detained.
He added that compliance was generally high, as many shops were shut during the sanitation period. However, individuals found violating the restrictions were arrested regardless of their occupation.
Mohammed also revealed that authorities had intensified enforcement of drainage clearing regulations under Section 13 of the state’s Environmental Law, which requires property owners to clear drainages around their premises.
He said 16 people were arrested in the previous week for failing to comply with the directive.
The prosecuting officer added that monthly sanitation exercises would continue, alongside daily waste evacuation and public awareness campaigns throughout the rainy season.