Ekiti warns residents against improper waste disposal

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The Ekiti State Government has warned residents against improper waste disposal and other activities capable of endangering public health or causing environmental nuisance.

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The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, gave the warning following complaints by residents of Third Extension, GRA, Ado Ekiti, about activities allegedly responsible for offensive odour in the area.

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According to a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Friday, a joint task force from the ministry and security agencies visited the area following the complaints and discovered that accumulated kitchen waste from a catch pit had been evacuated into a public drain, resulting in the offensive odour.

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Condemning the practice of discharging wastewater into drainage channels, Aluko-Ajisafe warned that the government would not tolerate activities capable of causing environmental nuisance or posing health risks to residents.

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She said, “government will not tolerate activities capable of causing environmental nuisance or posing health risks to residents.

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“An abatement notice has been issued to the resident involved. Further action will be taken in accordance with relevant environmental laws to serve as a deterrent to others.”

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The commissioner commended residents for promptly reporting the incident and urged members of the public to provide useful information to the ministry to assist efforts to tackle recurrent cases of obnoxious odour in the state.

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She said the ministry had made several arrests and prosecuted offenders as part of efforts to address environmental nuisance, adding that enforcement would be sustained to ensure a clean and safe environment in the state.

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Recall that residents had for some weeks complained about offensive odour in parts of the state capital, prompting the state government to commence investigations into the cause.

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The Information Commissioner, Taiwo Olatunbosun, had in a recent statement assured residents that “the situation is being closely monitored. The state government is working with relevant agencies and experts to ensure that the matter is properly investigated and appropriate measures taken to normalise the situation”.

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Olatunbosun reiterated the Biodun Oyebanji administration’s commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring a clean, safe and healthy environment for all residents of Ekiti State.

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