Leyoo Ajeokun
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has expressed dissatisfaction at what he described as ‘the lackadaisical attitudes’ of the residents in the state which brought about indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the street of Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
Governor Oyebanji who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Mrs Tosin Aluko stated this in Ado Ekiti on Saturday during the 2023 World Cleanup Day, aimed at raising awareness on the mismanaged waste crisis by mobilizing all spheres of society to participate in cleanup actions.
The Governor who lamented the detestable state of the environment despite government investment towards ensuring that the people lives in a clean, safe and healthy environment, expressed concern over the way residents have been making the state look unhygienic
He noted that the outcomes of indiscriminate disposal of waste expose the people to environmental disaster such as Flooding, Drainage Obstruction and Infectious Diseases, warned that anybody caught in the act would be punished accordingly.
While calling on non-governmental organization (NGO) and relevant stakeholders to join the state government in sensitizing the people against indiscriminate dumping of waste and towards achieving a clean, safe and healthy environment, the Governor charged the people to develop an ideas on how to convert waste to wealth creation to boost the state economy.
“It is sad to see how our state have become due to improper waste disposal, no place is exempted either public or private buildings, residential apartments, markets, streets, roads, medians, drainages, canals and undeveloped plots of lands which have turned to undesignated refuse dumping Sites. I must say, this is not the Ekiti we all grow up to know.” The Governor asserted.
Speaking earlier, the General Manager, Ekiti State Management Authority, Engr. Ayoola Osalusi commended the State governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji for approving the celebration.
Osalusi who berated the attitude of residents of the state towards waste disposal, urged the people to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages, medians and roadside. Added that residents of the state, particularly Ado Ekiti should endeavor to register at Ekiti State Waste Management Authority for House-to-House waste collection.
In their separate goodwill messages, The Founder of Triple Green Environmental Development (TGED) Foundation, Barr. Oluwaseyi and The Ekiti State Director, National Environmental Standards Regulations Enforcement Agency, Mrs Bosede Tomori thanked the state government for their support towards 2023 World Clean Up Day.
The duo however called on the government to ensure the sustainability of the event as an annual celebration.
Also present at the event were, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Babatunde Alokan, Director, Environmental Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Tunde Balogun among others.