Yanju Uwala
For committing various environmental sanitation offences, no fewer than 50 persons were arrested on Saturday in Akure, Ondo State capital.
According to the General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), Rev. Mrs. Ayo Adeyemo, the violators were picked up at different locations within Akure metropolis during the monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise on Saturday.
Rev. Adeyemo, who spoke to the newsmen shortly after leading other top officials of the Authority to monitor the monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise within the state capital, stressed that the 3-hour sanitation period was meant for the cleanliness of the surroundings and not for other activities.
She warned the residents to always obey the law and desist from dumping of waste in drainages and other unauthorised places, saying nobody who violates environmental sanitation law would face the consequence.
She said, “We must imbibe the culture of keeping our environment clean. Environmental sanitation should be a daily affair and we should not wait until somebody forces us to clean our environment. Let us all keep our environment clean and free from any form of diseases.
“Today, some people who brought their waste to the road side to litter the street were arrested, and we shall continue to do this.
“Today’s exercise is full of action. When I say action I mean action. We should respect environmental law, we should obey the law so that things can work well.
“We shall continue to sensitise, enlighten and also enforce so that we can achieve high level of cleanliness for the benefit of the residents and our state in general”, the GM added.
She further disclosed that the popular shopping malls (Shoprite) and the NEPA Market earlier sealed on Monday morning over unhygienic and unsanitary practices have been opened.
According to her, the commercial centres have complied, to a large extent, with the laid down hygienic practices even though the Authority is still monitoring them.
She, however, warned that if the incident that led to their earlier closure recurred, the Authority would not hesitate to permanently close down the affected shopping centres.
The GM appreciated the residents for their cooperation and support, saying the state capital is now wearing a new look because the people are cooperating with government to keep their environment clean and desist from unhealthy practices.
She revealed that the aggressive sensitisation and enforcement exercise embarked upon by the Authority is yielding good result, adding the exercise would be sustained in the interest of the public and the state.
