By Chinedu Ekeja, Benin.
The Edo State Government has intensified its campaign against environmental degradation, announcing the prosecution of 30 environmental offenders, the closure of four pollution-defaulting farms as part of efforts to build a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment.
The latest developments were announced during a joint media briefing convened by the Ministry of Information and Communications in Benin City on Wednesday.
The briefing brought together the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Barrister Nosa Adams, Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Authority, Lucky Inegbenehi, and Managing Director of the Edo State Parks and Garden Agency, Pastor Stanley-Dave Ighodaro who presented updates on the activities of their respective ministries and agencies.
Speaking at the briefing, Barrister Nosa Adams said the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability has significantly strengthened enforcement of environmental laws across the state since the inception of the present administration.
According to him, the ministry has conducted environmental audits in more than 230 industrial and commercial facilities to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly hazardous industrial waste, while 93 abatement notices have been served on environmental offenders.
He disclosed that 30 violators have already been prosecuted, adding that the ministry has also carried out more than 60 environmental compliance monitoring visits to mining and solid mineral excavation sites to ensure operators comply with environmental regulations.
Barrister Adams described mining activities as one of the major environmental challenges confronting the state, saying government has continued to engage operators on reducing emissions and gaseous pollution associated with their activities while insisting on compliance with existing environmental laws.
He cited the ministry’s engagement with Coca-Cola during the construction of the company’s waste treatment facility as one example of government’s commitment to working with industries to improve environmental standards rather than relying solely on enforcement.
The Commissioner further revealed that four poultry and piggery farms have been shut down for violating environmental pollution laws, stressing that the government would not hesitate to sanction individuals or organisations whose activities threaten public health and the environment.
He also announced that the Edo State Government has strengthened its legal framework with the passage and signing into law of the Edo State Waste Management Law, which now guides environmental enforcement across the state.
According to him, a mobile environmental court has been established to ensure speedy prosecution of offenders, while trained environmental law officers have been deployed across Edo State to improve compliance and enforce environmental regulations.
On flood control, Barrister Adams said the government has continued erosion control interventions and regular desilting of drainage channels across Benin City.
He identified Ihama Road near the Military Hospital, Boundary Road by Adesuwa, Uselu-New Lagos Road and S and T Barracks among areas benefiting from ongoing drainage improvement works.
According to the Commissioner, the interventions have significantly improved the city’s drainage system, noting that floodwater now disappears within minutes or a few hours after heavy rainfall, unlike previous years when many roads remained submerged long after the rains had stopped.
He also disclosed that the second phase of the Benin Storm Water Project is set to commence, following the payment of the state’s counterpart funding, expressing confidence that the project would further address flooding in vulnerable communities.
Barrister Adams also addressed concerns over the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, explaining that the restriction of movement traditionally observed on the last Saturday of every month remains suspended in compliance with a subsisting court order.
He said the suspension would remain in effect until the Court of Appeal concludes proceedings on the matter.
“Once the appeal process has been concluded, the status quo will return,” the Commissioner stated.
Speaking on waste management, Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Commission, Lucky Inegbenehi, said waste evacuation has become more efficient, particularly within Benin metropolis where more than 4,000 tonnes of waste are generated daily.
He attributed the improvement to increased investment by the state government, including the recruitment of an additional 500 street sweepers, deployment of heavy equipment such as bulldozers and payloaders and regular maintenance of government dumpsites across the three senatorial districts.
Mr. Inegbenehi said the commission has also launched “Operation Show Your Waste Receipt,” an initiative aimed at improving compliance with the Edo State Waste Management Law.
He reminded residents and businesses that only government-approved waste managers are authorised to evacuate refuse and stressed that citizens should not pay for waste collection services that are not rendered.
“Payment is for service rendered. Residents have the right to report any waste manager who fails to evacuate refuse after collecting payment,” he said, adding that sanctions equally apply to defaulting waste contractors.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Edo State Parks and Garden Agency, Chief John Ebo, identified vandalism as one of the biggest setbacks to the government’s urban beautification programme.
He lamented that flowers, ornamental gates and other facilities installed across the state are frequently destroyed or stolen shortly after installation, urging residents to protect public infrastructure and support government efforts to make Edo cleaner, greener and more attractive.
Earlier, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Prince Kassim Afegbua, highlighted other recent achievements of the state government, including the approval of ₦1 million each for the 41 Edo indigenes evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, as well as the signing into law of the Edo State School of Agriculture and Natural Resources Law before inviting heads of the various agencies to present updates on their activities.