…….Warns residents against illegal dumping
By Tolulope Eniola
The Ondo State Government has intensified measures to enforce environmental sanitation laws, warning residents against the indiscriminate disposal of refuse and construction materials in drainage channels, waterways and along roads across the state.
Speaking with journalists after an inspection tour of selected areas in Akure, the Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Special Duties and Strategy, Comrade Gani Mohammed Ajowa, said the government was determined to strengthen compliance with environmental regulations, particularly during the rainy season.
Ajowa condemned the practice of dumping refuse in gutters and waterways, describing it as a direct violation of environmental laws and a major contributor to erosion and flooding.
He stressed that safeguarding the environment was a collective responsibility, urging residents to support government efforts by ensuring proper waste disposal and keeping drainage channels free from obstruction.
According to him, blocked waterways and drainage systems pose serious threats to lives and property, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.
The governor’s aide disclosed that mobile courts had been activated to prosecute environmental offenders, warning that the government would not tolerate actions capable of frustrating its efforts to prevent flooding and other environmental challenges.
“We all know for a fact that it is an offence to dump refuse on waterways, particularly inside gutters. This affects the general well-being of everybody living on such streets, and the government is firm on ensuring that everyone plays a role in preventing erosion and other environmental challenges.
“We will be going around, especially during this rainy season, to ensure that people comply with the law. I want to tell residents that the mobile courts have been activated. We will enforce the environmental law because it is a collective responsibility between the government and the people,” Ajowa said.
Also speaking, the Technical Assistant to the Governor on Erosion Control and Flood-Related Matters, Engr. Elisha Ebijimi, appealed to residents to desist from dumping refuse and construction materials on roads and into drainage channels.
He noted that the indiscriminate disposal of waste, stone base materials, sand and gravel had become a major factor responsible for flooding during the rainy season.
Ebijimi specifically appealed to residents of Akure, Odigbo and Ondo town to stop the practice, saying it was obstructing drainage networks and worsening environmental conditions in affected communities.
“I want to use this medium to appeal to our people in Ondo State to stop dumping refuse, stone base materials, sand and gravel on roads because as we approach the rainy season, these activities are causing flooding in our state.
“We are appealing to residents to stop illegal dumping, especially in Akure, Odigbo and Ondo town,” he said.
On the consequences for violators, Ebijimi said offenders would be prosecuted in line with the law.
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