Oyo Commences Daily Sanitation, Suspends Saturday Restrictions
Oyo State government has called on residents of the state to ensure daily cleaning of their environments as sanitation exercise has now become an everyday activity towards achieving a clean and green environment.
This was as the government has announced indefinite suspension of the initial restriction placed on vehicular and human movement aimed at the observing the environmental sanitation exercise was then holding on every last Saturday of the month.
According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Idowu Oyeleke, the government admonished all residents on the need to clean their premises everyday, especially drainage channels and other open spaces, to avert any outbreak of diseases and cases of flooding.
He stated that failure to comply with the directive would attract institution of environmental laws and sanctions against offenders.
“It would be noted that we shall begin to experience rainfall, hence the need to prepare ahead of time in order avert avoidable floods and loss of properties.
“It is imperative to implore residents in the state to take the daily sanitation exercise seriously, for a healthy environment is a function of wealthy society,” Oyeleke noted.
The commissioner implored residents to desist from acts that could lead to flooding, such as indiscriminate dumping of wastes into drainages, as it hinders the flow of water in its natural path.
Reassuring of government’s commitment and determination to attaining a sustainable clean and green environment, Oyeleke called on theq residents to key into the policy and desist from all forms of environmental impunity.
He also emphasized that the period of sanitation should be used for cleaning the surroundings alone and residents are expected to comply with the instructions like they are carrying out their civic responsibilities, so as to achieve a safe environment for all.
Clearing the air on the last Saturday’s environmental sanitation, he said: “The state government has suspended the exercise and restriction of vehicular and human movement have been suspended indefinitely.
“However, the Environmental Task Force would be going around to ensure compliance and adherence to all the environmental laws and regulations of the state.”
Meanwhile, all Directors of Environmental Health Services in the 33 local government and 35 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state have been directed to monitor the daily sanitation exercise, as a matter of duty.
