The Kwara State Government has again read riot acts to motor parks operators in the state, with a warning that they either obey the laws of the land or be closed up.The State Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman, read the acts to motorist during the week, at the review of the monthly sanitation exercise, which was held at the Ministry’s conference hall, Ilorin, the state Capital.
According to him, the Chairmen of various transport unions, operating in the state have been summoned to a meeting with the state government on ways to ensure that their members adhere to relevant environmental laws.
“You saw what actually happened at Geri Alimi area, especially at that Independent motor park, and what they were saying to us. So we are inviting all these people and they must comply with environmental laws or we will close all up the places of those found wanting.”
“In fact that independent motor park at the Diamond Underpass, will be closed down by the special grace of God, as this government will not condone lawlessness from people not willing to comply with environmental laws” he stressed further.
The Commissioner explained that sanitation exercise in the state is just a two hour duration and once in a month, it is not too much to ask people to observe environmental laws within their domains, adding there is no way one can be operating in Kwara State and refuse to obey relevant laws of the land, which he reaffirmed will not be allowed.
Mallam Ndanusa also hinted that leaders of Okada riders and tricycle operators in the state will also be summoned soon, to a meeting on the need to sensitized their members, to observe the monthly sanitation.
The Commissioner also spoke on the low level of compliance in some parts of the metropolis, adding that efforts are ongoing to increase the number of mobile court judges from 14 to 19 for more efficiency.
The Commissioner who frowned at the level of compliance, over this month’s sanitation exercise, which he said was not encouraging, said
“we are not there yet, but we will get there because we won’t relent in the pursuit of a clean and hygienic Kwara.”
Those in the Commissioner’s team were; the Special Assistant on Sanitation, Mr Isiaka Yakub Agodi, the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim and Acting General Manager, Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), Hajia Folorunsho Idiat among other Principal Officers from the Ministry.