The Oyo State Government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing environmental laws, warning residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and engaging in open defecation and urination, which are now punishable offences under the state’s environmental regulations.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Barrister Seun Ashamu, sounded the warning today when environmental offenders were arraigned before the Environmental Tribunal Court within the Ministry’s premises.
Barrister Ashamu stated that residents of Oyo State must desist from disposing of household waste in market skip bins. Instead, he urged them to register with approved Private Sector Participants (PSPs) or waste collectors in their respective local government areas.
“The era of indiscriminately dumping refuse in public bins without proper registration is over,” Commissioner said. “It is better to pay a small token to the approved waste consultants than to risk prosecution and pay hefty fines when caught.”
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Barrister Ashamu emphasized that the state has now fully activated the Environmental Tribunal Court to try and penalize violators of Oyo State environmental laws. According to him, nearly 1,000 offenders have already been prosecuted with penalties ranging from fines and community service to one-month imprisonment.
He called on all residents to register with certified waste collectors and comply with environmental laws to promote a cleaner, greener, and safer Oyo State.
