By Adekola Afolabi

|

Ondo State government through its Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), has warned that more shopping malls and residential buildings would be shut down without delay if they are found to be indulging in unsanitary and unhygienic practices.
The ODSWMA General Manager, Rev. (Mrs) Ayo Adeyemo, who revealed this on Tuesday while speaking with The Hope, also said the Authority would not rest on it oars until it achieves high level of environmental cleanliness across the state capital.
This is coming 24 hours after ODSWMA sealed off a popular shopping malls (Shoprite) located on Igbatoro road and the Neighborhood Market at NEPA, all in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
She warned that any shopping malls, no matter how popular, or residential building which violates environmental laws and fails to comply with the laid down hygienic practices would be sealed without further delay.
It would also be recalled that the Authority, had two Mondays ago, sealed five popular shopping malls including NAO Supermarkets; Olukayode Building; Arowolo Bookshop; Rainbow Furniture, and Salon Mega Store, all within Akure metropolis, over unsanitary and unhygienic practices.
Mrs Adeyemo explained that the ongoing aggressive enlightenment and enforcement exercise by the Authority was to restore sanity and cleanliness back to the state and prevent possible outbreak of diseases.
The GM who decried recalcitrant attitude of some shop and house owners to the hygienic practices in their respective buildings, saying many still did not have waste bins and toilet facilities despite serving them with legal instruments to do the needful.
According to her, the ongoing aggressive enlightenment and enforcement exercise was not targeted at anybody or particular building but all those who fail to keep their environment clean.
She noted that the Authority would not unseal all the premises until owners are ready to fulfill all righteous and improve their sanitary conditions in the interest of the public and the state at large.
She added that ODSWMA always secures Court Order to seal any building, adding that the development would serve as deterrent to people who always litre their premises and dump waste on the roads and other unauthorised places across the state capital.
The GM also declared a clamp down on people also use their vehicles to convey waste from homes and dump it in unauthorised places around the city, saying such people would soon be tracked, arrested and their vehicles impounded.
Adeyemo who urged the people to always support the state government as it determines to keep the state clean and healthy for all to live in, also appealed to residents to always cultivate the habit of environmental hygiene and keep their waste in waste bins rather than dumping it anyhow.
She disclosed that arrangement is on top gear to begin a night policing with a view to arresting those who bring their waste (including in vehicles) to the main roads, junctions and other unauthorised places to dispose.
“I want to assure you, enough is enough of this mess, of this indiscriminate dumping of waste. So, we are moving forward to attain high level of cleanliness in the state.