Kano court sanctions hotels, hospitals, filling stations for violating sanitation law

The Weekly Mobile Environmental Sanitation Court of the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, REMASAB, has prosecuted and sanctioned several corporate establishments and institutions for violating the state’s environmental sanitation laws.

Among those sanctioned was MRS Filling Station, located along Wudil Road in Tarauni, Kano metropolis.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, REMASAB’s spokesman, Abubakar Ahmad, said the filling station was convicted for multiple environmental sanitation offences, including overgrown weeds, poor sanitation, indiscriminate waste disposal, accumulation of unwanted materials, failure to provide standard waste bins, expired fire extinguishers, blocked drainage channels and rodent infestation.

He said the court sentenced the filling station to two weeks’ imprisonment or the option of a fine, in accordance with the law.

Similarly, Mr Ahmad said Conoil Filling Station, located along Maiduguri Road, was sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment or the option of a fine for offences including littering, overgrown weeds, poor environmental sanitation, failure to provide standard waste bins, cobweb infestation, accumulation of unwanted materials, stagnant water, indiscriminate waste disposal and open defecation within its premises.

He added that the court also sanctioned Matrix Filling Station on Zaria Road for littering, overgrown weeds, indiscriminate waste disposal, stagnant water, poor environmental sanitation, blocked drainage channels and failure to provide adequate waste bins.

“The establishment was likewise sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment or the option of a fine,” he said.

The court also convicted Almu Memorial Hospital, located along Maiduguri Road, for overgrown weeds, littering, accumulation of unwanted materials, failure to provide standard waste bins, poor environmental sanitation, cobweb infestation and blocked drainage channels. The hospital was sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment or the option of a fine.

Mr Ahmad further disclosed that Dofin Cave Hotel on Zaria Road was convicted for littering, accumulation of discarded pipes, stagnant water and the presence of unwanted materials within its premises. The hotel was also sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment or the option of a fine.

In the same enforcement exercise, Bayco Guest Hotel, also situated along Zaria Road, was sanctioned for littering, indiscriminate dumping of waste materials, cobweb infestation and failure to provide standard waste bins.

According to the spokesman, the hotel was likewise sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment or the option of a fine.

“Furthermore, Midland Cardiology Clinic, Naibawa, was convicted for littering, overgrown weeds, poor environmental sanitation, cobweb infestation, indiscriminate waste disposal, rodent infestation and blocked drainage channels. The clinic was equally sentenced to two weeks’ imprisonment or the option of a fine,” he stated.

Mr Ahmad explained that the enforcement exercise forms part of REMASAB’s sustained efforts to ensure strict compliance with environmental sanitation standards and promote a culture of environmental responsibility among businesses and institutions across the state.

Commenting on the outcome of the exercise, the Managing Director of REMASAB, Dr Muhammad Khalil, reaffirmed the board’s commitment to ensuring full compliance with environmental sanitation regulations throughout the state.

He described the Mobile Environmental Sanitation Court as a vital mechanism for protecting public health, preserving environmental integrity and promoting responsible sanitation practices.

Dr Khalil urged corporate organisations, healthcare facilities, hotels, filling stations, commercial establishments and residents to maintain clean and hygienic surroundings, provide standard waste management facilities and comply fully with environmental sanitation laws.

He emphasised that REMASAB would continue to enforce the law fairly, professionally and without fear or favour, in line with the Kano State Government’s vision of building a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment for all residents.