The Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation in Osun State, Hon. Mayowa Adejoorin, has refuted insinuations claiming that the state capital is the dirtiest city in Nigeria.
This contradiction was made by the commissioner during a live radio phone-in programme, “Frank Talk,” on Rave FM, Osogbo.
According to Hon. Adejoorin, “I recently traveled to Ibadan and Abeokuta to confer with the Honourable Commissioners for Environment of Oyo and Ogun state Governments regarding common matters related to our official duties. What I observed in those states confirmed that Osun State is superior in managing sanitation.”
Hon. Adejoorin expressed concern about the citizens’ persistent disregard for maintaining clean streets and drainage, emphasizing the need for a change in their disposal habits. He stated, “the attitude of our people has to change, and they must learn how to properly dispose of their refuse.”
He noted that the Osun State government, being people-friendly and valuing dignity, maintains leniency with environmental offenders through its environmental officers.
However, Hon. Adejoorin cautioned that the government might have to reinforce laws associated with the weekly and monthly sanitation exercise, considering stricter measures if citizens fail to comply willingly.
In light of potential health risks tied to poor sanitation, he appealed to citizens to cooperate with environmental officers, actively participating in efforts to prevent diseases related to uncleanliness, open defecation, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.