By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Osun State Government on Monday reacted to a report credited to a group which rated Osogbo the Osun State capital as the dirtiest state capital in the country.

The state government faulted the claim, declaring that Osun remains one of the cleanest states in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that a group in their published report over the weekend had rated Osogbo, the Osun State capital the dirtiest state capital in the nation.

The Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Babatunde Balogun who reacted to the claim through a press statement issued on Monday said the group who made the claims were not sincere.

He described the claim as barbaric, saying it was a deliberate attempt to rubbish the good work of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Balogun who reiterated the total commitment by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s led administration in Osun to deal with the numerous challenges posed by environmental degradation in the state noted that “with all sense of responsibility, entire Osun remains one of the cleanest states in the country as both the state capital and major cities in the state are always kept clean daily by the sweepers, parkers as well as PSP operators.

“We have some large trucks functioning well with small trucks packing over 1000 tonnes of waste to our various dump sites every day for effective management. “So, how could a group gather false statements to tarnish the good work of an action Governor?

“This is barbaric and we are condemning and rejecting such write-up and we are warning them to desist from such act”.

Balogun stated that Governor Adeleke is keen towards creating a conducive and clean environment for the entire citizens of the state.”

According to Balogun, “On the issues of waste collection, there was no day that our trucks will not collect refuse, even no holiday as every day is a working day for the officials in charge.

“Similarly, the insecurity in the country does not warrant 5am collection as before for the safety of our workers but now, our work starts by 6.30 am and if the group is knowledgeable enough, they should know that by 1pm of each day, the whole city roads are clean.

“Mr Governor is working assiduously on innovations that will assist the environment and sanitation sector development and also ensure that the state shines amongst its equal.

“That is why we are always charging the entire residents of the state to take concrete actions towards ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment as a way of assisting the government.

“I hereby want the group or writer to do a proper investigation as professional in his field and not tarnish the image and work of others to get cheap political interest,” the statement concluded. Osun Govt Refutes Claims of Osogbo Being Dirtiest State Capital, Affirms Commitment to Cleanliness”.