By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
Gombe State will enforce its monthly sanitation exercise with strict penalties for violators, according to the Gombe State Environmental Sanitation and Protection Agency (GOSEPA).
The Executive Secretary of the agency Dr. Auwal Baba Jada announced at a press briefing that the exercise, held every last Saturday of the month, will take place statewide on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
He said GOSEPA, in collaboration with security agencies, will ensure full compliance.
Dr. Jada urged all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), organizations, businesses, banks, institutions, residents, and the public to participate by cleaning their surroundings during the exercise and maintaining cleanliness daily.
He emphasized that non-compliance will result into legal action. “Failure to comply with the sanitation exercise attracts sanctions as violators will face the full force of the law,” he warned.
The secretary maintained that mobile courts are provided to prosecute offenders, where Individuals can face fines ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦20,000, depending on the severity of the offense, and may even be remanded in correctional centers. Fines for violating the order are significantly higher for businesses: ₦250,000 for filling stations and ₦500,000 for markets.
However, the GOSEPA boss said essential service providers, including firefighters, doctors, security agents, and journalists on duty, are exempt from the order.
Dr. Jada appealed for public support and stated that trucks will be provided to evacuate waste from collection centers across the state.
He encouraged households, shops and business owners, filling stations, banks, markets, and industries to use the opportunity to clean their premises for health and safety.