Epidemic Outbreak Imminent In Osun Community Over Improper Channel Of Human Waste

By Fatimoh Olanrewaju

IN Osun State, environmental sanitation used to be an important part of the people’s daily lifestyle. It is a personal and communal effort that promotes good hygiene and helps to  ward off diseases among residents. 

Sadly, in recent time, some parts of the state have been experiencing environmental pollution crisis due to several reasons which includes lack of facilities to safely dispose human waste.

According to the world health organization, sanitation generally refers to the provision of facilities for safe disposal of human waste like urine and faeces.  Where this is not properly provided, environmental pollution crisis is imminent.

Environmental pollution is a global problem and it is common to both developed as well as developing countries, like Nigeria. This topic particularly attracts the attention of human beings because of its severe long-term consequences, in terms of for example, bad odours, which is the case of Ifesowapo Community, Ayetoro in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osogbo.

The level of environmental pollution going on in the community was an eyesore as observed by OSUN DEFENDER during the medium visitation on Wednesday.

There was no proper sewage system as all human wastes coming from majority of the houses in the area were channel to drainages, a development that produced offensive odour.

According to medical experts, inhaling of foul smells can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. In some cases, it can even lead to respiratory problems and difficulty in breathing. If one is exposed to bad odours on a regular basis, it can also lead to stress and anxiety. 

The situation was also the same when OSUN DEFENDER visited Orita Sabo, Osogbo, to observe the state of sanitation in the community.

The medium was welcomed with odoriferous smell from all corners as a result of stagnant waters from household wastewater and stormwater runoff.

A resident of the area, Kabir Adekunle, while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, expresses concerns on the environmental pollution and beseech the government for intervention.

He said: “The air is not always like this especially during the rainy season. The stinking of the environment comes with the weather. When rain falls, it washes away the drainage and sweep the debris.

“Most houses here are more than 40years old and their wastewater are linked to the gutter. The polluted air does not in anyway affects my business, but it does affect our health.

“The government should please come to our aid by ensuring availability of steady water for household usage and drainage control. If water is made available, the gutter will be flushed; it will not be blocked with refuses and this will reduce air pollution.”

According to Wemimo Ajayi, a shop owner in Ayetoro area of the state capital, a sewage treatment system should be considered by residents to properly dispose all forms of human wastes.

Ajayi said: “It is very important for all residents here to properly channel their wastes to soakaway. The government should also make sure that the system is properly ventilated by expanding the gutters, filling the potholes and rough roads.

“There should be a connection to a public sewer. Government should be inspecting on regular basis to ensure strict compliance.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitations, Hon. Mayowa Adejoorin, in an exclusive interview with OSUN DEFENDER recently, disclosed that the state would resuscitate the monthly sanitation to ensure a clean environment.