By Akubulu Ngozi, Udesinanna Stephen, Grace Ihie
Residents of Ado-Ekiti have called on the Ekiti State government to address the inccesant heaps of refuse at major spots in the state capital to avert environmental pollution.
The call was made today during a cross section interview with residents in Ado-Ekiti.
According to one of the residents in Oja Oba, Mrs Aina Balogun, the rate of refuse congestion especially in the drainage pathways has affected the easy flow of water, hence, contributed to flooding in the State.
She said, “Some people will just come and dump refuse on the road just like that, without considering its effect on the gutter. We are in the raining season and if the water is not allowed to flow freely, we would continue to experience flood.”
Similarly, another commuter in the same area, Mr Toyin Adebayo, revealed how he constantly suffered from malaria as a result of the stagnant water caused by the refuse congestion.
Also, a trader at the same location, who maintained anonymity, pleaded with the State Government to devise punitive measures on offenders and environmental polluters so as to foster a healthy community.
He said, “The way refuse are being dumped this days is getting out of hand, imagine coming to my shop this morning and seeing refuse dumped in front of my shop, it is really absurd. I want to implore BAO, (Biodun Abiodun Oyebanji) to set out constitutional punishments for anyone caught in this act, so that we can protect the health of our people.”
However, a commuter, identified as Yemi Are who lamented on the lack of an assessable disposal bin, urged the State Government to create a dungeon that would be easily accessed by residents to dispose their bins rather than dropping them on the unhealthy path ways.