By John Odhe, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State Environment and Sanitation Authority (ESA) has dragged owners of King George’s Court Hotel and Shopping Mall situated at Etegwe in the State capital before an Environment court sitting in Yenagoa over Alleged unlawful discharge of sewages into the neighbourhood.
In charge number YMC/ESA/MISC67/2026, the Authority is prosecuting the group of companies on a 3-count charge of failing to comply with the requisition and terms of basement notice to stop the discharge of sewages into service drain in the neighbourhood, continuous discharge of sewages and polluting the ambient of atmosphere of the neighbourhood which is punishable under section 184 (a) (b) of the criminal code law, Cap. C4 laws of Bayelsa State 2006.
Went the court sat on Tuesday for hearing, counsel to the defendant, Barr. Philip Omoru said his client was absent on health grounds, appealing to present him in next sitting.
Although the prosecuting counsel, Barr. Clerverson George did not oppose to the defendant counsel’s plea, but said such excuse on health grounds without any certification from a health expert would not be entertained in next sitting.
Having listened to both counsels, the presiding Judge, Justice Brossa-Ere Merriam adjourned the case to June 2, 2026 for hearing.
A nominal complainant, Bukuromo Duabofa said she decided to complain the situation to the sanitation authority, having allegedly endured offensive odour from sewages allegedly discharged to open gutters in the neighbourhood by the defendants for over a year.
She said all she needed from the court was a breath of fresh air, saying “when they release those wastes, the offensive odour comes directly into my house and it becomes difficult for me to breathe because I share the same fence with them. Imagine you are in your house and you can’t breathe.
“It’s like they are indirectly telling us to pack out of our houses and it is affecting our health too.
“All l want from them is simple. They should avert the situation and by that I mean those pipes that are channelled to the public gutters should be removed and sealed. They should look for another way to evaluate their wastes.”
Also speaking, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Comrade Morris Alagoa commended the sanitation authority for taking up the matter and appreciated residents of the area for approaching the relevant authority for redress instead of taking the law into their hands.
“This is one of the most civilised ways of handling issues for the interest of the public,” he said.
Referring to article 24 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights adopted in 1981, the environmentalist underscored the importance of public health, noting that the nostril is a vital organ of the body meant to know if the environment is healthy or not.
He pointed out that it becomes dangerous to health when people find it difficult to breathe in fresh air.
Alagoa stated that the State government was interested in providing a conducive environment for investors and that investors on their part should reciprocate by obeying environmental laws.
He advised individuals and corporate bodies to abide by lawfully recommended ways of discharging sewages for the sake of good and healthy living.
