Kwara Govt Threatens Sanctions Over Illegal Waste Dumping in Ilorin

The Kwara State Government has warned residents and motorists against indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the Airport Road axis, describing such acts as environmental abuse punishable under state law.

The warning was issued by the General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), Jide Aina, during a special sanitation exercise along the road.

Aina expressed concern that the area had become an illegal dumpsite despite government interventions to improve waste management. He noted that the Ministry of Environment had provided four large Roro bins to encourage proper disposal, yet some residents continued to dump waste recklessly.

“Illegal dumping of refuse along Airport Road is environmental abuse and indiscipline, and it will no longer be tolerated,” Aina said, condemning open burning of waste, which he described as a serious public health hazard.

He added, “Open burning and indiscriminate dumping of refuse are criminal offences under Kwara State Environmental Laws. Anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted.”

KWEPA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, has deployed monitoring and enforcement teams to affected areas to curb the practice.

Aina also called on residents to support the government’s sanitation drive by adopting responsible waste disposal habits, emphasizing that environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility.

The clean-up exercise saw the participation of senior government officials, including the Commissioner and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, highlighting the state’s commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment.