By Kemi Olatunde

Ondo State Government has began the evacuation of illegal dump sites and vegetation control in Akure in order to attain a cleaner state capital.

To this effect, residents have been urged to embrace proper waste disposal so a s to guarantee healthy living among them.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Sunday Akinwalire spoke while leading the team to monitor illegal dump sites and also the level of cleanliness of the state capital on Tuesday.

According to him, it is crucial to effectively manage public waste to prevent disease outbreak stating that government is prepared to tackle obstacles that may prevent it in the state.

Commending the Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the approval of emergency intervention in the management of public waste, he noted that ‘operation make Akure clean’ has began in the state calling on all to give necessary support to the exercise.

While stating that a new dawn has began in the state, he warned residents on the misuse of the environment saying “anybody caught misusing the environment will be arrested and taken to the environmental court for necessary action.”

He called on those with illegal structures on water courses to remove them to prevent flooding during the rain.

Akinwalire while addressing some Hausa residents at Sabo, Old garage, frowned at street trading stating those those who display their wares in illegal spots will not go scot free.

He called on roadside traders to put in place a waste bin to accommodate their daily waste to prevent littering the street.

While reiterating government resolve to maintain a clean state, he said that efforts are in place to control activities of some residents who dump waste illegally along major roads and the walkways in Akure.

Speaking with The Hope shortly after the exercise, he called on all to disilt the drainage in their environment to prevent flood.

He revealed that 15 waste collectors (PSPs) which according to him have the capacity to drive the entire waste management system of the state, are on ground to take care of public waste adding that a fee which will be charged would be communicated to residents soon.

He called on staff of the Ondo State Waste Management Authority (OSWMA) to effectively supervise the activities of waste collectors noting that they should expect some supervisory mechanism from the State Ministry of Environment in order to encourage healthy living among residents.

The team which also included the Governor ‘special task force and staff of both Ministry of Environment and OSWMA among others, visited illegal dump sites along airport road, Oba Adesida Road down to Cathedral and illegal dump site after FUTA north gate.