Paragraph 1: The Issue of Indiscriminate Arrests
Kalu Mba-Nwoke, a member of the Abia State House of Assembly, has voiced strong disapproval of the arbitrary arrest and detention of sanitation defaulters by police officers. He argues that this practice undermines the legal process established for handling such violations. Instead of being handed over to the Mobile Court for proper trial, as mandated by law, these individuals are being held without due process. This action directly contravenes Abia State environmental regulations, which clearly stipulate the role of the Mobile Court in adjudicating sanitation offenses.
Paragraph 2: A Call for Intervention and Adherence to the Law
Mba-Nwoke, who also chairs the House Committee on Environment, has appealed to the State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, to intervene and put an end to these unauthorized detentions. Despite previous appeals, this practice persists, raising concerns about the disregard for established legal procedures. The lawmaker emphasizes the importance of adhering to the Abia Environment Sanitation Law, which designates the Mobile Court as the appropriate venue for trying sanitation offenders. He urges the police to respect this legal framework and ensure due process for all individuals.
Paragraph 3: Assessment of the Sanitation Exercise and Concerns about Trader Compliance
During a monitoring exercise in June, Mba-Nwoke observed a reasonable level of compliance with sanitation regulations, with exceptions made for individuals involved in polio immunization and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) mop-up examination. However, the continued operation of traders at OrieUgba Market, despite government warnings, remains a significant concern. This blatant disregard for regulations requires a more forceful response from the authorities.
Paragraph 4: The Role of the Specific Mobile Court in Sanitation Law
The Mobile Court has been established by the Abia Environmental law solely and specifically for the purpose of sanitation law violations. This implies that police officers who apprehend individuals for offenses related to hygiene during sanitation exercises are obligated to hand over those defaulters immediately to the Mobile Court instead of holding them at the police station for a longer duration than necessary. This practice has been condemned by concerned stakeholders including lawmakers and leaders of the affected communities, as well as by the citizens of Abia State. The indiscriminate arrest and detention of sanitation offenders has also been identified as an infringement of human rights and a violation of legal procedure.
Paragraph 5: Promises of Stricter Enforcement and Environmental Awareness Campaigns
The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Ogbonna, echoed the lawmaker’s sentiments, noting the generally satisfactory level of compliance but expressing strong disapproval of the traders at OrieUgba Market. He warned of stricter enforcement measures in future exercises, emphasizing that leniency would no longer be tolerated. Alongside enforcement, there’s a focus on educating the public about the importance of maintaining a clean environment. Mrs. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, highlighted the need for parental guidance in encouraging youth participation in sanitation activities and criticized shop owners who neglect to clean their premises.
Paragraph 6: Innovative Waste Management and Biogas Initiatives
Efforts to improve waste management are also underway. Mazi Okereke Ogbonnaya, General Manager of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), discussed initiatives such as roadside bins, street sweepers, and the provision of ASEPA waste bags. He also highlighted the adoption of a biogas roasting method as a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional tire burning for meat processing. This initiative involves converting animal waste into biogas, which is then used as fuel in abattoirs. During the June sanitation exercise, a total of 92 defaulters were apprehended, 79 were prosecuted, and 13 were discharged due to health reasons or involvement in the JAMB examination.
