Anambra Govt Intensifies Enforcement Of Sanitation Laws, Arrests, Prosecute Defaulters
The Anambra State monthly sanitation exercise is gaining momentum with the sustained trials of defaulters of sanitation laws in the state.
However, despite this momentum, ABS observed, while monitoring of compliance with the end of the month sanitation exercise in Awka, Amawbia, Nise and Umuawulu that people still defy the law as they were seen going about their normal businesses and neglecting the civil obligation of participating in the sanitation exercise.
The enforcement team of the Ministry of Environment kept the pace of enforcement by mounting road blocks on state roads.
At Aroma junction off Ifite road Awka, some motorists, commuters and residents resisted arrest and prosecution leading to, in most cases, physical combats.
A resident of Awka who spoke to newsmen said that cleanliness in the State is a serious issue that should not be toyed with but urged relevant authorities to find a more effective and systematic way to enforce the law.
She regretted that some residents of the state have not given attention to the environmental hazard indiscriminate dumping of refuse will cause the state.
Some of the defaulters include Chukwuebuka Andrew , Solomon Igwe, Emmanuel Osigala and Chijioke Oga claimed to be unaware of the sanitation exercise.
They pleaded that if pardoned, they will turn a new leaf.
Magistrate Esther Chukwu who presided over the trial, after hearing defaulters, reminded them that ignorance of the Law is not an excuse and enjoined the state citizenry to imbibe the habit of staying at home and participating in the monthly sanitation exercise.
Magistrate Chukwu, in her ruling, penalized the defaulters with different amounts as fines.
