Gov. Lalong threatens to arrest community leaders over dirty environment

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has warned that community leaders found wanting over dirty environment within the ir various communities in the state would be punished.

Lalong gave the charge in Jos on Saturday at the inauguration of the“Resuscitation of Monthly Sanitation Exercise” within the state.

The governor, who was represented by Prof. Danladi Atu, Secretary to the government , said that the resuscitation of the sanitation exercise was necessary to make sure the cleanness of the environment within the state.

According to Lalong, community leaders are going to be arrested if they fail to make sure their environment is kept clean.

He said that government was committed to the monthly sanitation practice of engaging of doctors for the supervision of the exercise within the communities.

The governor said government chairmen were also expected to make sure their community leaders were properly sensitised to make sure cleanliness in their environment, especially in Jos North and Jos South government Areas.

Lalong said the government was concerned with the filthy nature of its environment thus the resuscitation of the exercise, saying that Plateau wont to be a tourist haven.

“There can't be tourism with filthy environment. it's imperative for residents to inculcate the habits of cleanliness and environmental hygiene.

“This is apt especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, as cleanliness is an anti-dote thereto . Residents should also adhere to the preventive protocols of the disease, “he said.

Lalong said there have been signals of flood as eight local governments had experienced the disaster, remarking that future incidents might be averted with the clearing of drainage.

Earlier, Mr Gabriel Nshem, Acting head , Plateau Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA), urged Plateau residents to cooperate and are available call at mass in ensuring their environment was clean.

Also speaking, Mr Idi Usman, Commissioner for Environment, commended PEPSA for commitment to duties in spite of the lean resources.

Usman appealed to the governor to supply more trucks for them to enable them discharge their duties diligently.

He also pleaded with Plateau residents to properly dispose their domestic wastes at designated centres.

He added that it had been very challenging clearing indiscriminate dumps, especially during the season .

The press agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that to make sure compliance to the sanitation directives in Jos metropolis, the operation of mobile courts are put in situ to prosecute defaulters and restrictions of vehicular movement.