Nasarawa govt to demolish structures on waterways to avert flooding — Commissioner

The Nasarawa State Government has said it will demolish all structures built on waterways to curtail any possible flooding.

Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Yakubu Kwanta, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Saturday in Lafia after the monthly sanitation exercise.

The Commissioner who was represented by Malam Abubakar Mohammed, Chief Environment Officer who is also the Chief Prosecutor of the ministry, said the ministry was being proactive to prevent any disaster.

He explained that the decision to demolish the structures followed the recent prediction by NiMET that there would be flooding in 25 states including Nasarawa State.

He explained that already the government had directed the residents of flood-prone areas to relocate to safer grounds.

According to him, “Given the way flood had ravaged some parts of Nasarawa State in the recent past, the ministry would not allow anybody to block the waterways.

“When you block the waterways and prevent water from free flow, you are inviting disaster, because anyhow it will find its way to pass,” Mr Kwanta added.

On the level of compliance on the sanitation exercise, the commissioner expressed satisfaction and applauded the traditional rulers, Chairmen of Area Councils as well as the security agencies for the success of the exercise.

He said that about 85 per cent of the residents complied by looking at their shops and businesses to clean the surroundings during the sanitation exercise.

He said the state was shut down during the exercise in line with the law, except those on essential services.

“We only allowed those with permission from relevant authorities and those on essential services to pass, and move around during the exercise,” he added.

He, therefore, called on members of the public to always keep their environment clean to guard against outbreaks of diseases.

Meanwhile, 86 persons suspected to have violated environmental sanitation laws across the state were arrested and prosecuted by various mobile courts in the respective LGAs.

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE 

• Before Appeal Court determines Atiku, Obi, Tinubu’s fate

• Niger coup: Tinubu in meeting with Touray, Abubakar, Ribadu

• Press Time Podcast: Soft Skills, Opportunities and things in-between

• Oyo state govt releases Omituntun bus intracity, intercity routes, fares

• VIDEO: NGO Founder, Omodolapo, urges women to join women communities

• EDITORIAL: Herdsmen’s renewed onslaught on communities