Nasarawa State Government has warned residents against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels, waterways, and roadsides, particularly in the urban areas of the State.
The State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA) issued the warning in a statement on Monday by the Director of Waste Management, Abubakar Ishaq Ibrahim.
According to the statement, defaulters would face severe sanctions under the state’s environmental laws.
The Agency lamented that the unpatriotic and unlawful behavior has become a source of national embarrassment and public health concern, causing unnecessary hardship to law-abiding citizens and portraying the State Government in a bad light.
“Henceforth, any individual, household, business, or group caught in the act of illegal dumping or defacing the environment shall be arrested and prosecuted before the NASWAMSA Mobile Sanitation Court, with penalties including fines, community service, seizure of offending materials and possible imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offense.
“This warning is to serve as a final notice to all residents to imbibe responsible waste disposal habits and join hands with the government to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy Nasarawa State.
“For complaints or reports, please contact NASWAMSA’s Public Health and Environmental Monitoring Desk,” the statement added.
