The Nasarawa State Government has baned the use and sales of charcoal in the state as part of measures to protect the environment.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Mr. Aliyu Agwai stated this while addressing newsmen in Lafia after the December 2021 environmental sanitation exercise.
According to Mr Aliyu Agwai, the ban became imperative given the harmful effects associated with the process of producing the charcoal to human health and the environment.
He stated that the use and sales of charcoal had also increased cases of indiscriminate felling of trees in the state which gives rise to global warming and other environmental hazards.
The permanent Secretary warned those selling and using charcoal to desist from the business or face prosecution.
Mr. Aliyu Agwai however commended residents of the state for participating in this month’s environmental sanitation despite the change in date due to the forthcoming Christmas celebration.
All exit and entering roads in Lafia the Nasarawa State capital were blocked to prevent motorists from passing until after the exercise.
Meanwhile the Mobile Court, handling environmental sanitation cases, prosecuted 32 persons suspected to have been arrested while transacting their private businesses within the hours of exercise.
The Trial Judge, Mr Abdullahi Lande, convicted and sentenced the environmental sanitation violators to six months imprisonment with option of fine of between 5, 000 and 50, 000 Naira.
RADIO NIGERIA