Kano mobile court convicts 7 filling stations, seals property over sanitation violations

The Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, REMASAB, has secured the conviction of seven filling stations and sealed a residential property for violating the state’s environmental sanitation laws.

The board said the convictions were secured through its Mobile Environmental Sanitation Court during an enforcement exercise conducted along Civic Centre and Gwarzo roads.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, REMASAB’s spokesperson, Abubakar Ahmad, identified the affected filling stations as TotalEnergies, Aliko Oil, MRS Limited, MH Gano Oil Company, A.A. Rano Filling Station, MYMS Filling Station and MMD Oil and Gas.

He added that the board also sealed a residential property belonging to one Usman Abdullahi at Tal’udu in Kano Municipal over alleged public nuisance caused by offensive odour, poor environmental sanitation, indiscriminate waste disposal and the absence of proper waste disposal facilities.

According to Mr Ahmad, TotalEnergies Filling Station was convicted for multiple environmental offences, including indiscriminate waste disposal, overgrown weeds, open urination, blocked drainage channels, littering, poor sanitation, a damaged inspection chamber and failure to provide adequate waste receptacles.

He said the court sentenced the station to two weeks’ imprisonment with the option of a fine in accordance with the state’s environmental sanitation laws.

MRS Filling Station, located along Civic Centre Road, was also convicted for maintaining overgrown weeds, poor toilet facilities, open urination and inadequate environmental sanitation. It received a sentence of two weeks’ imprisonment or the option of a fine.

Similarly, Aliko Oil Filling Station on Gwarzo Road was sanctioned for overgrown weeds, littered surroundings, damaged inspection chambers, rusted entrance doors and poor sanitation.

The court imposed a two-week prison sentence with the option of a fine.

The court also ordered the immediate sealing of MYMS Filling Station on Gwarzo Road after finding it guilty of blocked drainage channels, overgrown weeds, accumulation of waste materials around its generator house, indiscriminate waste disposal, failure to provide waste bins and poor environmental sanitation.

A.A. Rano Filling Station was convicted for indiscriminate waste disposal, blocked drainage channels, poor toilet maintenance, inadequate waste bins, littering and poor sanitation. The court sentenced the establishment to 10 days’ imprisonment or the option of a fine.

MMD Oil and Gas Filling Station was similarly convicted for maintaining a damaged entrance slab, overgrown weeds, indiscriminate waste disposal, littering and poor environmental sanitation, attracting a sentence of 10 days’ imprisonment or the option of a fine.

REMASAB also listed MH Gano Oil Company among the filling stations sanctioned during the enforcement exercise, although it did not specify the offences committed or the penalty imposed.

Speaking after the court proceedings, the Managing Director of REMASAB, Dr. Muhammad S. Khalil, said the enforcement exercise underscored the agency’s commitment to ensuring compliance with environmental sanitation laws across Kano State.

He said the objective was not merely to punish offenders but to encourage adherence to environmental regulations, protect public health and promote a clean, safe and sustainable environment.

Mr Khalil urged residents, business owners, corporate organisations and property owners to maintain proper sanitation standards and comply fully with the state’s environmental laws.

He assured that REMASAB would continue to enforce environmental regulations fairly, transparently and without prejudice while holding violators accountable in accordance with the law.

The managing director reaffirmed the board’s commitment to promoting a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment through sustained enforcement of environmental sanitation standards across Kano State.