Adebayo Adenrele
The Ekiti State Government, has sent stringent warning to traders and members of the commercial driver unions operating in the state to stop violating the monthly environmental exercise.
The Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, gave the warning on Saturday, while monitoring the monthly environmental exercise in Ikole Local Government area of the state.
Afuye, in a statement by her Media Assistant, Victor Ogunje, also pleaded with the security agencies to collaborate with the environmental officers for full enforcement of mandatory restriction of movements for the three-hour programme.
She expressed regret that traders and commercial drivers in towns like Iworoko, Ifaki , Oye, Ayegbaju and Itapa, were operating in full swing, despite the 7-10am restriction announced by the government.
Places visited by the Deputy Governor included Ikole Local Government , Ikole West, Ajoni and Kajola Local Council Development Areas.
She also commended the Chairmen of Ikole Local Government and the three LCDAs in the council, for enforcing compliance with the restriction order and ensured environmental cleanliness and hygiene.
According to her, “I was not really happy with the way the commercial drivers and traders were operating freely in virtually all the towns that we crossed before we got to Ikole Ekiti.
“They were operating without bearing in mind that there was a restriction. I want to appeal to our security agencies to join hands with the local government chairmen and our environmental officers to make this programme a success.
“What we are doing is to prevent infectious disease from breaking out. People can’t be selling foods in dirty environments and expect that the consumers will be in good health shape.
“Environmental hygiene is necessary in the life of any citizen, once you are able to maintain this, one is bound to enjoy long and healthy life. You won’t be spending your money on sicknesses. This is besides the beauty it will add to where you live”.
In a similar development, Afuye promised that a blocked section of Ayedun-Ipao link road in Ayedun Ekiti and an erosion site in Ijesa-Isu, identified as posing serious ecological hazards will be addressed by the state government.