Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment, Chief (Mrs.) Tosin Aluko
Ajisafe has warned that anybody caught dumping refuse in the drains
and culverts would henceforth be made to face full wrath of the
law.
The commissioner gave the warning as the State continued its comprehensive approach to combating incidents of flooding in the State.
Chief Tosin Aluko who spoke during a tour of areas affected
by flood around Oja-Oba and Ado Central Mosque in the State capital,
expressed empathy with the Chief Imam and others affected by the flood.
The Commissioner said that “the present administration had carried out
massive dredging and desiltation of gutters and waterways as part of
efforts at curtailing flooding in the State”.
She listed areas touched by Government with the dredging and
desiltation activities to include “Orere River Course, Oreremope
Community, Behind Obasanjo Estate, Along Ikere/Ado Ekiti road,
Olaoluwa – Omisanjana – Ureje – Olaoluwa – Alasia Community, Ado Ekiti
and the Federal Polytechnic Road/ABUAD culverts to Emirin intercept of
Elemi”.
Other areas of interventions include “Bashiri – Olohunda –
Crownbiz/Aayemi/Balemo Onola; Afao Road – Oshodi – Ado Poly
Bridge/Intercept, Ado Ekiti; Omisanjana – Ile-Abiye – Egbewa, Sadiat
Hotel Junction, Ado Ekiti; Egbewa Junction – Baptist Secondary School,
Ado Ekiti and Aso Rock Relaxation, Tosin Aluko Garage, Omolayo
Standard Press, Ado Ekiti as well as Bisi Egbeyemi/Tope Alabi road,
Ado Ekiti and the Police Station, New Iyin road – Secretariat Junction
and NTA road, House of Assembly Junction, Ado Ekiti”.
Mrs. Aluko therefore solicited continued support for Government’s
efforts to make live easier for residents in the State, stressing the
need “to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and
building structures on waterways”.
Stressing that blocking of waterways with refuse or buildings, not
only lead to flooding, she added that the chemicals and
non-biodegradable materials in the waste affect the physical
environment and the waterways by contaminating groundwater and soil.
According to her, the waste also spread weeds and pests, thus affecting
agriculture, wildlife and the environment.
The Commissioner therefore called for cooperation and collective
responsibility for reporting all forms of illegal dumping.
The Commissioner was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Environment, Mr. Babatunde Alokan, General Manager, State
Environmental Protection Agency, Mr. Francis Adumo, General Manager,
Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, Engr. Ayoola Osalusi and
Director Environmental Health and Sanitation, Mr. Tunde Balogun.
Other areas visited by the team are Ifesowapo Avenue, Olora Layout,
Housing Road, Ado Ekiti and Phase II, Federal Housing Estate.