By DADA AYOKHAI
The Edo State government recently announced the reintroduction of the monthly sanitation exercise.
A statement issued in Benin by the Secretary to the State Government,(SSG) to Gov Monday Okpehbolo, Mr Umar Musa Ikhilor, stated that the sanitation exercise will take place on the last Saturday of each month from 7 am to 10 am.
The statement explained that the reintroduction of the exercise by the governor was in keeping with his commitment to ensuring a healthier and cleaner environment for the people of the state
It was maintained that there would be a complete lockdown of both human and vehicular movement during the exercise to allow citizens to participate fully. However, those on essential duties will be exempted from the restrictions.
The idea of a lockdown alongside environmental sanitation was introduced into the country polity by the then military junta, Buhari/idiagbon administration.
The decision to restrict movement was challenged by the human rights activists who complained that it was not necessary.
As a way of demonstrating their argument, they put the matter before a court of competent jurisdiction where they got judgement against that lockdown.
A Federal High Court judgment and a 2018 Edo State High Court Ruling which was instituted by Igbinedion against Edo State House of Assembly provided a framework for understanding environmental sanitation and its legality. These rulings, focusing on Lagos’s monthly sanitation exercise, established that authorities could not, as a matter of right, arrest and detain residents for moving on roads during sanitation. They also highlighted the importance of public participation and awareness in ensuring effective sanitation practices.
The Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that the restriction of movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the state is unlawful and a violation of the citizens’ right to liberty and freedom.
The case was instituted against the state by a lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa
In Benin and environs, some residents who spoke with Borderline News 24 expressed concern about the rationale behind the lockdown during the duration of the sanitation exercise.
They argued that it could significantly impact the local economy, given the current harsh economic condition in which many Edo citizens depend largely on daily struggles to make ends meet.
They also questioned the effectiveness of the time allocated for the lockdown, pointing out that valuable hours would be lost, as nearly half the day would be gone by the time the roads reopen at 10 am.
They advised the state government to focus on clearing blocked drains and evacuating refuse which has taken over towns especially the market zones.
Invariably, their responses bordered on concerns about the autonomy of the council areas, as many of these responsibilities fall under their jurisdiction.
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