Calabar Mobile Court Convicts 60 Over Varying Environmental Offences, as Monitoring Team Encourages Law Abiding Citizens
Hannah Arikpo
The Cross River state Mobile Sanitation Court sitting in Calabar Metropolis has convicted about sixty persons for allegedly violating laws guiding the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Out of this number, three were acquitted on health grounds and job exigency while three other vehicle owners paid heavier fines.The offenders paid fines ranging between three thousand to fifteen thousand naira (₦3,000-₦15,000) or risk being reprimanded at the Calabar Correctional Centre.
Speaking, the Senior Magistrate presiding over the mobile court states:"The sanitation law defaulters were tried under the Criminal Code of Cross River State Law Cap C16, volume 3 of CRS, Nigeria. In the first instance, offenders are sentenced to three months imprisonment for violating the sanitation law. As an alternative option, they are asked to pay a fine ranging from ₦3k- ₦15k each.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, the Commissioner for Environment and Team Leader, Obol Moses Osogi, lauded the satisfactory level of compliance recorded during the May edition of the sanitation exercise. Represented by the Director of Environmental Health and Pollution Control ministry of Environment, Mr. Dien Ugumanim, the Commissioner noted that the level of compliance continues to improve with every sanitation exercise, adding that significant progress has been recorded across the state.
According to him, the eight Miles Market, which had previously been identified as a major violator of sanitation regulations, demonstrated a remarkable change in attitude as traders and buyers complied with the restriction order, while those present actively participated in cleaning their surroundings. However,
he frowned at the incidence at Marian market where traders constantly disobeyed sanitation orders.
In separate interviews, residents condemned acts of non compliance with environmental sanitation laws and urged members of the public to support government efforts towards sustaining a clean and healthy environment.
Some of the offenders, admitted violating the sanitation order and appealed for leniency, promising to comply with future exercises.
The Sanitation Monitoring Team which took off at the Ministry of Environment headquarters.Calabar, covered major areas within Calabar Municipality, including Marian Road, Ikot Ansa, Murtala Mohammed Highway, Ikot Eneobong Market and adjoining communities, before terminating at the Mobile Court, Mobil.
