No fewer than 30 people were arrested by environmental officers of the Ondo State Government on Saturday for committing environmental sanitation offences.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Environmental Health and Safety, Chief Samuel Bolala, disclosed this while speaking with our correspondent in Akure, the state capital, during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

According to him, the exercise was aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness, ensuring compliance with sanitation regulations and strengthening efforts to maintain a healthy, safe and sustainable environment across the state. He said residents needed to abide by the law.

Bolala said, “Regular environmental sanitation, proper waste disposal, and active public participation in keeping residential areas, markets, streets, and other public spaces clean are very important to our well-being.

“In today’s exercise, no less than 30 people were arrested by the officers and they will all face the state special environmental court.”

He stressed the need for continuous collaboration among government agencies, environmental health personnel, waste management officials and residents to achieve lasting improvements in environmental health and sanitation.

The governor’s aide noted that the exercise aligned with the ‘OUR EASE’ agenda of Governor Aiyedatiwa, “particularly the administration’s commitment to improving the well-being of residents through a cleaner, safer, healthier, and more conducive environment.”

While commending the environmental health officers and waste management personnel for their continued efforts in promoting environmental hygiene and ensuring compliance with sanitation standards, he encouraged them to remain committed to their responsibilities, carry out their duties professionally and engage residents constructively.

He also called on residents of the state to make environmental cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than an activity limited to monthly sanitation exercises.

“Achieving a clean and sustainable Ondo State requires collective responsibility, consistent public awareness, proper waste management practices, and effective enforcement of relevant environmental regulations,” he charged.