Thirteen people were arrested last month at different locations in Ilorin for violating Kwara’s environmental sanitation laws, the Director of Environment in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Alhaji Sikiru Olanipekun, has said.

Olanipekun  disclosed this in Ilorin at the weekend.

He reaffirmed the determination of the ministry to continue enforcing sanitation laws to ensure clean environment at all times, and advised residents of the state to always clear bushes and wastes in their areas or face the wrath of the law.    

The director warned against encroachment on major roads and cautioned shop owners against dumping refuse into canals to avoid flooding.

Olanipekun directed educational institutions in the state to provide sanitary facilities in their premises to provide healthy environment for learning.

He expressed government's dissatisfaction at the habit of some students who formed the habit of defecating on school grounds.    

Olanipekun said that school authorities had been directed to provide toilet facilities to ensure proper hygiene in their schools.    

He directed authorities of all institutions of higher learning to provide first aid boxes and fire extinguishers in their buildings, warning that those who failed to comply with the directive would be prosecuted in accordance with sanitation laws.