Eric Patrick
The Edo State Sanitation Task Force was seen in a video making the rounds on social media allegedly assaulting residents, including a pregnant woman, over violations of a government-imposed movement restriction during a sanitation exercise.
The video seen by First News correspondent on Sunday, shows members of the task force physically assaulting their victims, with one of them hitting them with a stick.
The policy, enforced from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month, was reintroduced earlier this year by the Governor Monday Okpebholo in a bit to keep the state clean.
The state deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, in a statement shared on his Facebook page said, “Today, I officially flag off the reintroduced Monthly Environmental Sanitation Exercise.
“This initiative is scheduled to hold from 7am to 10am on the last Saturday of every month.
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“I urge us not to see this exercise as a mere routine, but a clarion call and a civic responsibility for each and every one of us to take ownership of our environment, to cherish the land we call our homes, and to work together for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Edo State, that guarantees a healthy living.
“Our environment is not just the backdrop to our lives; it is the very foundation of our health, our economy, and the legacy we leave for future generations.
“To this end, I wish to emphasize that Senator Monday Okpebholo’s led administration will not hesitate to take decisive action against individuals or groups that flout the rules of this sanitation exercise,” he said.
Everyone is expected to remain at home during the stipulated hours and participate actively in the cleaning of their surroundings, with exceptions granted only for those on essential duties.