Kaduna Assembly Passes Law On Environment

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has passed the amended law establishing the State environmental protection authority.  

The executive bill received the blessing of the legislature after undergoing third reading.  

Entitled, “A Bill for a Law to substitute the Kaduna state Environmental Protection Authority, Edict No. 1 of 1998,’’ reads “A Law Establishing the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority 2010’’.  

Part II of the new law mandated the authority to achieve “sustainable environmental protection and development’’ in the state through public sensitisation and awareness on environmental and health related issues.  

It also empowered the authority to address the general well being of residents, conserve the environment and its natural resources and minimise the impact of physical development on the eco-systems, among others.  

According to the law, the functions of the authority include the control, removal and disposal of liquid and solid wastes, control of vector pests, rodents and reptiles.  

Other functions of the authority, according to the law, are control of noise, use of septic tanks and sewage maintenance, control of bush burning and deforestation activities across the state.  

The law stipulated that offenders shall be liable to a fine ranging from N1, 000 to N5, 000 or imprisonment for a term of three to six months or both.

After several contributions on the amendments by members, the Minority Leader of the House, Dr Mohammed Abubakar, (ANPP Tudunwada), moved a motion for its passage, while Mr Philemon Gidanmana (PDP-Makera) seconded it.  

The Speaker, Ahmed Jumare, directed the Clerk of the House to communicate same to Gov. Patrick Yakowa for his assent.