As efforts intensify to keep Abia Clean and healthy, the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, has apprehended environmental pollution offenders in various locations in the state capital.
The 17 offenders, comprising 7 males and 10 females, were charged in court over littering and indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the street gutters.
Speaking to newsmen, the ASEPA, deputy manager Umuahia zone, Catechist Ambros Jonah, represented by the head of Monitoring Unit, Mr Marcauley Okpara, said the arrest of the violators would serve as a deterrent to others who intentionally violate environmental laws.
Jonah emphasized the need for environmental cleanliness and hygiene, stressing that the full weight of the law would come hard on any individual irrespective of societal level.
The ASEPA boss repeatedly said the 5pm to 6am dumping of refuse remains, adding that the monitoring team has commenced street-to-street checking of gutters.
The Environmental expert made it clear that littering of pure water sachets and debris around residential buildings remains an offense and, as such, warned that the ASEPA monitoring officers will arrest and prosecute without delay any shop owner, tenant, and market traders culpable of such offences.
The Court, however, charged the offenders with an option of fines each.
