By Chris Chimezie
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Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), last week, was fully engaged with activities aimed at further transforming the Sunshine State and making the environment more conducive for citizens of the state.
Among such activities was the inspection of the ongoing channelisation project of Odo-Ala River that flows through the Akure High School and Aiyedun community down to Fiwasaye Girl’s Grammar School in Akure South Local Government Area.
The Governor, having inspected the ongoing evacuation of debris at the channel of the waterways, frowned at the manner through which residents have turned drainages and channels into dumpsites.
Dissatisfied with such act, Arakunrin directed the State Ministry of Environment to begin total enforcement on illegal and indiscriminating dumping of refuse into drainage systems in Akure metropolis.
He noted that should the trend of disposing waste on moving water continues, it will block the flow of erosion which would lead to flood when heavy rain sets in.
“All of us have to adhere to the culture of doing things in the proper way. There’s no two ways about it.
“If we continue to dump our refuse in the channels and drainage systems, they will block and such will lead to the erosion overflooding its bank. We have seen that now.
“I think we have to break the myth. We can’t continue to live with the belief that we must throw our debris into a moving water, it blocks it.
“Lucky enough, we have made arrangement for people to come and collect the refuse bags for a token, they are ready. All you need do is put all your waste there and those in charge will come and take it away.”, he stated.
He warned people of the State capital to desist from the unholy act to prevent flooding that could lead to lost of lives and unwanton destruction of their properties.
Akeredolu maintained that the concerned Ministry in charge will not hesitate to prosecute those found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
The Head of ZL Global Alliance, the Agency handling the clearing of the debris, Mrs Biola Bashorun hinted the Governor on the various efforts put in place which include mechanical and local channelisation which has enabled free flow of erosion.
Bashorun while appealing to residents of the area to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse into water channels, said proper use of the environment would help curb flooding and other disasters.
While sensitising people living in such areas to change their negative attitudes in other for them to enjoy their environment, Bashorun also admonished trading on roadsides to stop dumping refuse into the channels.
Speaking with Journalists on the efforts of the state government, Some residents of Ayedun quarters, Mr Rufus Omoniyi, Mrs Aina Olusegun and Alhaji Ibrahim recounted their sad experiences with the recent flood that swept away many of their properties.
The residents lamented the havoc wreaked by the recent downpour which submerged their buildings, while some of their properties were eroded by the flood which overflowed its bank.
They expressed their gratitudes to the Governor for his prompt response to salvage the situation adding that they can now sleep with their two eyes closed whenever it rains.
They however assured the Governor that they will ensure that no one would dump refuse into the channel which according to them, is the only remedy to avoid flooding and destruction of their properties.
Also last week, Arakunrin Akeredolu directed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Engr Taiwo Otun to fix the damaged portions of Igoba axis of the Ado road in Akure.
The Governor stated this during his inspection tour to ascertain the level of damage on the road after which he directed that the bad portions should be worked on to alleviate the plight of residents of the area..
Engr Otun who conducted the Governor round the place, explained that the Ministry has put in efforts to cushion the effects of the bad road on residents of the area.
Two residents of the area, Mr Musa Dada and Mr Oluwasegun Ajayi expressed gratitude to the Governor’s gesture which they said would go a long way in addressing the tough times the bad road had subjected residents of the area to.