DEBO ADEOYE,IBADAN
The Oyo State Government has criminalized dumping of refuse on the road median in Ibadan and environs.
Government decision became necessary due to recent excessive dumping of refuse by the residents. The act which has worsened the environmental condition of Ibadan in the past few days forced the government of Oyo state to take a strong decision against offenders.
When Sunrisetimes.com.ng visited the two dump sites in the city, two bulldozers, donated by a company, ZARD HOLDINGS LIMITED were seen assisting in clearing heaps of refuse.
The Government on Tuesday announced that it has hence forth outlawed dumping of refuse on road medians, and anybody caught in the habit, would be charged with an offense punishable under the law.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, HON. KEHINDE AYOOLA gave the hints on Wednesday through a telephone conversation on the state of filth in the city and environs.
HON. AYOOLA said government has established four environment Tribunals that will prosecute offenders, adding that Tribunals would be sitting every day to sanction anyone found dumping refuse indiscriminately.
Meanwhile on Tuesday the Executive Governor, ENGR. OLUSEYI ABIODUN MAKINDE, Deputy governor, RAUF OLANIYAN, Chief of Staff, BISI ILAKA with other members of the State Executive Council and all top government officials were on the roads to launch “Operation Keep Oyo Clean”, aimed at eliminating the backlog of refuse and wastes dumped across several locations in Ibadan metropolis and other parts of the state.
HON. AYOOLA further expressed the determination to rid the state off filth, he disclosed that the government has mobilised a lots of trucks to clear heaps of refuse littering the entire city .
“As am speaking with you now, they are on the field working both day and night . They work through our the night, till the early hours of the morning . We have two bulldozers working at the two dump sites .
“One at Apete, and one at Ajakanga . Yes, the bulldozers were donated by Dr. Raymond Zard of the Zard Holdings Limited. And we are indeed grateful to him, “ he said.
The situation according to him has greatly improved, but environmental officials still need to keep talking to the people to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
He reemphasized government determination not to further tolerate the habit of dumping refuse on the roads, adding that people in residences, at homes should acquire waste bins, and be attached to waste collectors.
“It is against our environmental laws now to dump refuse at the road median. We have established four environmental Tribunals now that will be sitting every day , and anyone caught dumping refuse on road median will face trial , and if found guilty he or she will face the music.
“And there is no partiality about it, it doesn’t matter if you know the governor or the commissioner, anybody caught will be made to face the full weight of our environmental laws.
“Presently, we have rehabilitated our dumb sites, we are creating new landfills in an effort to tackle the menace,” the Commissioner stated.
