… Says commitment to clean, healthy environment remains unwavering
BENIN CITY: The Edo State Government has said it will challenge in a higher court the recent judgment of the Edo State High Court concerning restriction of movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Nosa Adams, Esq., made the government’s position known on Monday during a press briefing at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Secretariat Complex, Sapele Road, Benin City.
He said while the government respects the judgment, it remains convinced that its actions were guided by extant provisions of the Edo State Sanitation and Pollution Management Law, 2025.
“As a government that upholds the rule of law, we fully respect the decision of the court. We remain committed to operating within the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable legal frameworks guiding our actions,” Adams said.
The commissioner stressed that environmental sanitation remains a key component of the state’s public health and environmental sustainability agenda, noting that a clean environment is essential for the wellbeing of residents and the development of the state.
He disclosed that the government relied on Section 26, subsections (1) to (3), of the Edo State Sanitation and Pollution Management Law, 2025, in carrying out the exercise.
According to him, the section empowers the commissioner, with the approval of the governor, to declare any day and time within the month as Environmental Sanitation Exercise Day for the clearing of refuse and the cleaning and maintenance of roads and drainages across the state.
He added that the law also empowers the governor to restrict movement at such times and places considered necessary during the sanitation period.
Adams further explained that under the same law, any person who fails to observe the sanitation exercise or refuses to comply with movement restriction commits an offence and is liable on conviction to community service not exceeding two weeks, a fine of not more than N50,000, or both.
Despite the court ruling, the commissioner said the ministry remains committed to adopting lawful, innovative and inclusive approaches to environmental management in the state.
He urged residents to continue to maintain proper environmental practices and cooperate with relevant authorities as the government pursues the appeal process.
The commissioner assured the public that further updates would be provided as the legal process progresses.
