By Kemi Olatunde

Illegal structures erected on drainage covers and road setbacks in Akure should be removed, General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (OSWMA), Mr. Fola Omowole has directed.

He gave the directive while leading a team to monitor the April edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Akure.

According to him, the structures exist in those locations without due approval, adding that they constitute environmental nuisance in the state.

While mandating the sanitation team of the Authority to revisit such places including Iromu street in Akure, to present abatement notice for them to be removed, he explained owners of such structures will pay for the cost of their removal by government, calling on them to obtain proper approval of structures before erection.

Omowole while stressing the importance of sanitation, he said that residents should take care of their environment for an improved health, noting that dirty environment breeds diseases which according to her brings about ill health.

He called on all to abide by state environmental sanitation law in order not to incur the wrath of the law.

His words: “The environmental sanitation exercise is in place to sensitise residents on maintaining clean environment. We hope to have a dirt-free environment in the state and that is why all should imbibe positive behavior in waste management and environmental sanitation. We should all build an environment that we can be proud of.”

Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Olumide Kinga stated that the environment gives back what it receives, adding that unmanaged waste comes to people in terms of epidemic.

He said that government is putting in place plans to ensure that all Ministries, Department and Agencies take care of their environment in order to make it hygienic.

While stating that the state is rated high in the scourge of Lassa fever, he called on residents to shun  emergence of illegal dump sites in their vicinity.

During the exercise, 62 violators were arrested and taken to the environmental court. Also, a filling station, Prema Global resources Limited, opposite NEPA neighborhood market was served notice to abate nuisance for silted drainage.