The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called on Ebonyi Government to properly sensitise the public before embarking on the enforcement of the new N100,000 fine against offenders of the new environmental regulations.
The group made the request at a news conference on Friday in Abakaliki, arguing that implementing the new regulations without proper public sensitisation would not achieve its intended results.
The committee was reacting to a recent circular released by the State Ministry of Environment on the new guidelines for refuse disposal within the Abakaliki capital territory which was signed by Mr Victor Chukwu, Commissioner for Environment.
The document partly read: “In her commitment to keep Abakaliki Capital City clean and green regularly, Ministry of Environment has directed that wastes generated by residents from their Compounds; Business Premises, Schools, Churches, Hotels, Eateries should be dropped at the Ministry of Environment approved dump sites only, in the hours of 5:am to 8:am daily,
“Further to that, there should be no more dumping of wastes on the Road Median in any part of the Capital City.
“To ensure total compliance to the above directives, any person caught dropping wastes indiscriminately and at unapproved time will be arrested by Environmental Marshals.
“Arrested culprits will be made to pay a fine of N100,000.00 or face outright prosecution by Ebonyi State Environmental Sanitation Court.
“Residents of the state are enjoined to support the administration of Gov. Francis Nwifuru to maintain a healthy and conducive environment for the good of all and sundry.”
Reacting to the new regulation, the group expressed deep concern over the stipulated penalty and urged the ministry to embark on intensive public sensitisation and awareness campaign to educate the public on the new guidelines.
“While we support the government’s commitment to a cleaner and healthier environment, we find the directive problematic on two main grounds:
“Firstly, the timeframe designated for waste disposal — between 5:00 am and 8:00 am is not only narrow but coincides with the critical hours when residents are typically engaged in preparing for work, school, and attending to essential household responsibilities.
“This rigid window may lead to unintended violations, especially among the working class and the less privileged.
“Secondly, the imposition of such a steep fine without prior and adequate public sensitisation undermines the principles of fairness and inclusivity.
“It contradicts the spirit of the People’s Charter of Needs, which His Excellency has championed as a guiding framework for governance.
“Given the literacy levels in parts of our state, enforcement without sufficient awareness risks penalising citizens who are unaware of the new law.
“Therefore, we respectfully call on the commissioner for Environment, Mr Victor Chukwu, to adopt a more citizen-centred approach.
“We urge the ministry to initiate a robust and far-reaching public enlightenment campaign to properly inform Ebonyi people about the new environmental regulations before enforcement begins.
“Only through inclusive dialogue, education and civic engagement can we achieve the shared goal of environmental sustainability while upholding the rights and dignity of our people,” the group said. ENDS//
