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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
In a resolute stance against environmental degradation, Honorable Kwanta Yakubu, the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources in Nasarawa State, has expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing sanitation efforts spearheaded by the state government.
Kwanta stated this shortly after the usual monthly sanitation exercise on Saturday noting that, “We are winning the war in line with the mandate of the present administration under the leadership of Gov Abdullahi Sule to keep the environment clean, habitable, and safe for citizens of Nasarawa state,” Commissioner Kwanta Yakubu affirmed.
Highlighting the pivotal role of traditional leadership, Commissioner Yakubu commended the active involvement of the traditional council in the sanitation campaign. “Just this morning, His Royal Highness, the Chairman of Nasarawa State Traditional Rulers, Justice Sidi Bage (Rtd), personally went round to lend his voice to this campaign. He encouraged the residents to come out and keep their surroundings clean. It is quite encouraging,” he stated.
The commissioner also revealed plans for enhanced collaboration between the government, traditional councils, and local government administrations to bolster the sanitation initiative.
“Just yesterday, we received clearance for the Governor to engage with the traditional council and local government administration to form a formidable team in various Local Government areas to achieve the aim of bringing back sanitation,” Yakubu announced.
Furthermore, he reiterated the government’s renewed commitment to operations ‘Pick Nylon by Your Side’ and ‘Operation Keep Nasarawa Clean’. Hon. Yakubu recounted recent efforts to streamline waste management, including the relocation of dumping sites and the deployment of waste guards to ensure proper disposal.
“This year is not going to be business as usual,” Commissioner Yakubu emphasized. “We have already built robust synergy with traditional and local government councils to ensure total compliance. I am very happy with what I saw today because there is substantial compliance in the state capital, and we will continue with the campaign until the aim is achieved. I can say that Lafia is better than we met it,” he concluded.
In a bid to address the critical issue of sanitation and waste management, Hon. Kwanta said there is a strong collaboration with the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Agency (NASWAMSA) has embarked on a strategic initiative to enforce proper waste collection and disposal across the state.
Recognizing the pivotal role of efficient waste collection in maintaining a clean environment he said NASWAMSA unveiled a proactive strategy aimed at tackling sanitation challenges head-on. Commissioner Kwanta Yakubu emphasised the significance of waste collection as he underscored the necessity for a seamless transition from disposal to final destination.
“The issue of sanitation exercise is based on collection because if refuse is being dumped and there’s no means of collection to the final destination, I think there is a problem,” Commissioner Yakubu asserted.
In a concerted effort to ensure compliance, Hon. Kwanta said NASWAMSA had issued notices well in advance, providing residents with ample time to prepare for the sanitation exercise. This preemptive measure culminated in the thorough desilting of drains within the Lafia Metropolis, setting the stage for a comprehensive cleanup. He added.
However, in the wake of the sanitation campaign, he said NASWAMSA’s vigilance led to the apprehension of individuals flouting waste management regulations. A total of thirty-six (36) individuals were detained in Lafia, with additional arrests made in Doma (14), Nassarawa Eggon (10), and Akwanga (17), respectively.
