ASEPA charges 17 environmental polluters to court in Umuahia 

As efforts intensify to keep Abia Clean and healthy, the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, has apprehended 17 environmental polluters in various locations in Umuahia, the State capital.

The arrested offenders comprising 7 males and 10 females were charged to court for littering and indiscriminately dumping of refuse in the streets and gutters.

Speaking to journalists about the operation, ASEPA Deputy Manager,  Umuahia Zone, Catechist Ambros Jonah, who spoke through the Head of Monitoring Unit, Mr Marcauley Okpara, said the arrest served as a deterrent to others who intentionally violate environmental laws of Abia State.

Jonah emphasized the need for environmental cleanliness and hygiene among residents, stressing that the full weight of the law would come hard on any individual caught polluting the environment, irrespective of societal level.

He restated that the 5pm to 6am hours approved for refuse dumping in Umuahia had not changed, adding that the monitoring team had commenced street-to-street checking of gutters.

The Environmental expert made it clear that littering of sachet water and waste around residential buildings w re still offense and, as such, warned that the ASEPA monitoring officers will arrest and prosecute without delay, any shop owner, tenant, or trader in the market culpable of such offence.

He, however, said that the court gave each of the apprehended offenders the option of fine.

ASEPA charges 17 environmental polluters to court in Umuahia