The Kwara State Ministry of Environment and Forestry has apprehended a police inspector and a waste collector in connection with an illegal dumping site recently uncovered in Ilorin, the state’s capital.
According to The PUNCH, in a statement by the ministry’s press secretary, Yakub Aliagan, on Friday, the illegal site was discovered along General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport Road in Ilorin West Local Government Area.
This site had reportedly been used by commercial waste collectors and local residents, in direct violation of state environmental laws.
Aliagan reported that Inspector Adamu Usman, a police officer assigned to the airport, was allegedly involved in facilitating the illegal operation.
He has been handed over to the Kwara State Police Command for further investigation.
The Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, who led the enforcement team that uncovered the site, explained the discovery process.
“As you can see, we just discovered this illegal dump site that was created by some unidentified people. For instance, we found out that the majority of commercial waste collectors dump their refuse here,” she said.
Buge continued, “We have always warned them against mismanaging their waste, and we let them know the penalty involved if any of them are caught.”
She revealed that the ministry traced one of the waste collectors from the airport road to the illegal site late on Thursday night, which led to the discovery.
She expressed concern over the location of the dump site, highlighting its proximity to the airport and the Aviation College.
“This place is very dangerous. You can see the dump site is located beside the airport and the Aviation College. A plane just took off now. This place does not meet up with the criteria for a dump site,” Buge stated.
In response to this violation, the government has revoked the license of the implicated waste collector and imposed a fine of N250,000.
Buge further stated that the government remains committed to curbing indiscriminate refuse disposal. She noted that 124 offenders have been prosecuted so far, with eight receiving jail sentences, primarily for illegal dumping and scavenging.
“We are not relenting as the enforcement of environmental standards is still ongoing and will continue until people stop dumping refuse indiscriminately. This is necessary because of the danger inherent in the bad habit,” Buge said.
She added that since the enforcement campaign began, there has been a marked improvement in waste management across the state, with about 70% compliance reported in just a few days.
Residents now tend to retain their waste until collection vehicles arrive, and many have begun to patronize approved waste collectors, contributing to cleaner streets.
