The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it was set to apply “non-custodia” sentences on environmental offenders by making them wash toilets in the full glare of the media.

The state Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, said government was displeased with the abuse of the environment by some people.

He said the government had zero tolerance for environmental degradation, which had become daily features, especially in the Lagos Metropolis.

Bello said, “Some people are reverting to old habits of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and illegal street trading. We note that these abuses are setting the state backward from its high environmental standard.

“The Lagos State Government is henceforth poised to commence in accordance with the laws, the restoration of environmental sanity so as to prevent environmental offenders from eroding the gains of the last four years.

“The government will start applying non-custodian sentences such as making offenders to wash public toilets in the full glare of the media. In addition, any car or bus in which refuse is thrown on the streets will be used to carry refuse to dump sites for specified hours as punishment for the uncivilised conduct.”

The Commissioner added that the government would also commence full enforcement of the state street trading laws to discourage street trading.

He also announced that there would be no restriction of movement during Saturday’s environmental sanitation between 7am and 10am.

Bello said the decision  was to allow students, invigilators and officials of the National Examination Council participate in the nationwide examinations for Senior Secondary III pupils.

Source: http://www.punchontheweb.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=5710:environmental-offenders-to-wash-toilets&Itemid=542