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By Amos Okioma, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority (BESA) has arrested forty-two persons for violating the law which prohibits movements of unauthorized persons from 7am to 10 am of every last Saturday of the month, in the bid for individuals and corporate bodies to clean their surroundings and environments.
The permanent secretary of the state environmental sanitation authority, Mr Christopher Ewhrudjakpor, disclosed this to newsmen after monitoring the monthly exercise in Yenagoa on Saturday.
According to him, the agency arrested 42 defaulters who were found loitering, playing football during the period. He gave the breakdown of the defaulters to include, thirty males and twelve females. “These defaulters are currently arraigned before the magistrate court, we arrested thirty males and twelve females, totaling 42 defaulters,” he said.
Though not satisfied with the level of compliance, he acknowledged that compliance was not up to 100 percent, adding that the 80 percent compliance recorded might not be unconnected with the failure of the agency to carry out the monthly exercise for some time now. Ewhrudjakpor however commended the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, and his deputy, Senator Lawrence, for prompt release of funds for the exercise and prayed for its sustainability.
He said that during the exercise, lots of persons were found loitering about, some playing football, while some military personnel flouted the law.
“We met some military men and accosted them and told them it is important to obey the laws of the land. If they continue to disobey what will the civilians do. We urged them to obey the law whenever the exercise is taking place, they should comply so that other citizens will do same.”
Ewhrudjakpor further called on staff of the agency to appreciate the role of the agency as a revenue generation body, but not meant to extort money or engage in multiple taxation of the citizenry and corporate bodies, and urged the staff to desist from unauthorized ventures as the board has put in place a task force to arrest any official found wanting and ensure such faces the full wrath of the civil service.
“To that effect, we have announced the cancellation and the transaction of all revenue collection agents, any persons dealing with agents or accepts any receipt not currently issued is doing so at his/her detriment,” he said.