Osun Commences Dredging Of Rivers, Frowns At Illegal Dumping Of Refuse

In anticipation of this year’s rainy season, the Osun State Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation has commenced the dredging of major rivers and streams across the state. 

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of the Ministry, Mr. Mayowa Adejonrin, while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday. 

OSUN DEFENDER, in its last edition, reported that a civil society group, the Centre for Social Justice and Public Protection (CSJPP), tasked the state government to be proactive in the clearing and dredging of drainages and streams across the state to avoid flooding. 

Adejonrin noted that the state government is aware of the negative impact of floods, hence, the need to be proactive. 

He assured the residents that the government was taking necessary steps to ensure that the state does not experience flood this time around. 

Adejonrin said: “Apart from the Gbodofon River, we have started the dredging of major rivers that are prone to flooding in Ife and other parts of  Osun State. 

“We are on top of the situation and we know the negative impact of flood and we are taking the necessary steps to ensure that we don’t experience flooding in the state. 

“My advice for the people of the state is to work in consonance with the government’s directives. We should all take responsibility and stop the indiscriminate dumping of refuse which can lead to flooding.”

Speaking on the continued dumping of refuse on the median of major roads and the dirtiness of some areas in the state, Adejonrin said the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the re-introduction of the monthly environmental sanitation which will start at the end of April. 

He also said the environmental sanitation marshals who will be sweeping and clearing the bushes across major roads in the state would commence work at the end of this month. 

Adejonrin, however, decried the attitude of some residents of the state to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, noting that despite government’s efforts in sensitising the residents, some people still persist with the act.

The commissioner who admonished residents to take responsibility for cleanliness of their environment, noted that government alone cannot ensure clean environment.

According to him, “We have been trying a lot to make sure we have a clean environment but the attitude of some of our people most times frustrate our efforts.

“Despite all our advocacy on the need to stop the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the road, our people keep doing it. The government cannot do everything, people have to take responsibility.

“The Governor has approved that we resume the monthly environmental sanitation (every last Saturday of the month).

“Our Environmental Sanitation Marshalls will start work at the end of this month. They will be sweeping and cutting grass on our roads.

“Appropriate channels should be engaged in the disposal of their refuse. Anybody that is apprehended by the law enforcement team would face the penalty. The governor means well for the state and we also need to support him to have a cleaner and safer environment.”