Environmental contractors operating without certification letter will be prosecuted —AEPB

The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has said that it will prosecute environmental contractors in the territory, who operate without the board’s certification letter.

Giving this warning while receiving a delegation of estate managers and environmental contractors operating in the FCT on Saturday in Abuja, the Acting Director of the board, Mrs Omolola Olanipekun, said the board had the mandate to issue certification letters to environmental contractors to enable them operate legally in the city.

“If we see any unlicensed environmental contractors, we will arrest and take them to our mobile court. The only way we can easily arrest them is when the public collaborates with us by assisting us identify contractors who evacuate waste to dumping site.

“When we notice that such contractors are not licensed by the board, we can prosecute them. The essence of the prosecution is to promote environmental sanitation and change the negative attitude of the residents towards the environment.”

She also noted that the collaboration between AEPB and estate managers will also help the board identify their challenges in waste management in order for it to know how to tackle such problems.

Olanipekun noted that the aim of the meeting was to enhance the relationship between the board and the two bodies and promote environmental health for effective service delivery.

Mr Vincent Okoro, who spoke on behalf of the estate managers, called on residents of the FCT to obey environmental laws and regulations to enable AEPB achieve its mandate and vision.