By Kemi Olatunde

In an attempt to ensure total cleanliness as well as effective management of waste in Ondo State, government has put in place 50 hectares of land as dump site in Aponmu.

Leading the monitoring team which comprises the Ministry of Environment, Waste Management Authority  and Committee on Waste Management, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Sunday Akinwalire stated that it became necessary to acquire a new site as the previous one in Igbatoro has failed.

Speaking on the degradation of the site, he called for compensation of the area by finding alternative area for afforestation in order to preserve the environment.

He frown at the lackadaisical attitude of residents towards effective waste management noting that they should embrace proper containerisation of waste for effective disposal by waste collectors.

He called on the people to desist from illegal dumping of waste  and  eradicate the existence of illegal dump sites especially along major highways in the state.

During the exercise, he berated the activities of some fish sellers  who were arrested along Old Garage area for preparing fish  in an unhygienic environment. Akinwalire ordered the sealing of the place alongside the arrest of those involved.

He called on waste collectors in the state to be up and doing at their various locations so as to have neater environment in the state.

Other places visited by the team included; the illegal dump sites along Ade Super HotelFUTA North Gate and OUK Supermarket.