Indiscriminate dumping of refuse: Severe punishment awaits offenders – Aluko

Adebayo Adenrele

…pledges to take actions on Houses without toilets in Ekiti




As part of the efforts to keep Ekiti clean and tidy, the state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Tosin Aluko has said her Ministry will administer severe punishment on any citizen caught dumping refuse indiscriminately so as to serve as deterrent to others.

Hon. Aluko made this assurance on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, while playing host to the Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council.

Aluko, a former Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, noted that the Ministry has been magnanimous by applying human discretions whenever they arrest offenders but the story will no more be the same because the Residents of the state have been taking their considerable measures for granted.

Hon Aluko further lamented that despite the filial relationship the ministry has created with them, it is unfortunate that many are not helping the vision of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in his quest to keep Ekiti neat and tidy.

In her words, “When we were defending our budget at the ministry of budget for year 2024, we approached the ministry of budget and economic planning that we want to reactivate our mobile hubs, and they allocated some amount for us.

“We have to buy about 5 to 6 canopies, we put them at strategic locations and we make use of some security personnel.

“We will make use of the existing laws of environment, health and sanitation laws, waste management authority but it’s significant to note that these laws are not enough.

“Before the first quarter of 2024, we will have more arrangements on ground for prosecution.

“The 5,000 prosecution fee will be reviewed to 10k, and other necessary punishments so that they won’t do that again and it will serve as deterrent to others.”

Speaking on houses without toilets, she said the Commission has been sensitising the Landlords and Landladies, through jingles and radio programmes, adding that she will not stop until on her part things are done right in the state.

Earlier in his address, the 10-man team led the chairman of Online Media Chapel, Comrade Ayodele Abere, advocated for media parley with the Commission, stressing that the online media has become the future of Journalism.

He expressed the readiness of the Chapel to project the activities of the Ministry, on the duo of originality and authenticity.

In her response, the Commissioner extended an olive branch to the chapel, while also advocating their support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.