By Kemi Olatunde

The Ondo State Waste Management Board has embarked on an emergency cleanup of an illegal dumpsite at Odopetu Market, Akure, following concerns over the health hazards posed by the indiscriminate waste disposal.

Chairman of the board, Mrs. Yinka Alabi-Oladapo, led an inspection of the market on Thursday, where she decried the transformation of an abandoned plot of land into a refuse dump by traders, warning that the situation could trigger an epidemic if left unchecked.

“This has become a serious health risk, and as a responsible government, we must act swiftly to prevent an outbreak,” she stated.

The intervention coincided with the state’s weekly market sanitation exercise held every Thursday.

However, efforts to clear the waste met initial resistance from market representatives, who cited a court injunction restricting access to the land.

But Alabi-Oladapo maintained that the health implications far outweighed any legal barriers. “This is an emergency. We are not taking over the land; we are only ensuring that the area does not become a breeding ground for diseases,” she explained.

Following consultations with the traditional ruler, the Kabiyesi of Odopetu, and other stakeholders, an agreement was reached to proceed with the evacuation.

The board chairman commended the cooperation of market leaders and assured that the government remained committed to upholding sanitation standards across the state.

She further disclosed that the cleanup operation, involving government waste management vehicles, had commenced immediately, with a firm warning against future indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Alabi-Oladapo also hinted at plans to seek a court injunction to shut down the market temporarily until the evacuation was completed to forestall any disease outbreak.

She criticised the attitude of some residents who blamed the government for the state of the abandoned land, insisting that environmental hygiene was a collective responsibility.

Responding on behalf of the community, the Olotin of Odopetu, Chief Ogunsusi Muyiwa, pledged the support of the community for government initiatives aimed at maintaining a cleaner environment.