The Akwa Ibom State Government has reminded residents that maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment is a shared civic responsibility, warning that anyone who violates the State’s environmental sanitation laws will face enforcement actions and prosecution.
In a public notice issued on Friday, July 24, 2026, the government said the directive is pursuant to the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency Law, Cap. 51, Vol. 3, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022, and the Public Health Law, Cap. 119, Vol. 5, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022.
The government advised residents to comply fully with the State’s environmental sanitation regulations, stressing that violations constitute offences and will attract enforcement actions in accordance with the law.
According to the notice, the following constitute environmental sanitation offences:
1. Dumping refuse or household waste outside approved containers or designated disposal points.
2. Throwing any material capable of blocking drains, gutters or waterways.
3. Allowing waste to obstruct the free flow of water on streets or highways.
4. Failure by landlords, caretakers or occupiers to provide standard refuse bins.
5. Discharging human or animal waste in unauthorised places.
6. Allowing overgrown weeds or unkempt surroundings within any premises.
7. Littering streets, roads, highways or public places.
8. Discharging wastewater or other noxious substances onto public roads, gutters or drains.
9. Accumulating refuse, decaying food, animal or vegetable matter, or any substance constituting a public nuisance.
10. Any act or omission that endangers public health, life or property.
11. Loitering, wandering or moving about during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The government further stated that anyone found loitering or violating movement restrictions during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise will be arrested and prosecuted.
It also noted that landlords, caretakers and occupiers are responsible for keeping their premises clean and providing standard refuse bins.
According to the notice, offenders are liable to sanctions, including fines, community service, abatement of nuisance and other penalties prescribed by law.
It added that persons arrested for any of the listed offences will be prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Akwa Ibom State Government urged all residents to support the environmental sanitation programme by complying fully with the regulations, emphasizing that collective adherence will help build a cleaner, healthier and safer Akwa Ibom State.
The public notice was signed by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, and dated July 24, 2026.
