Flood: Osun waste management warns residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

By Richard Akintade, Osogbo

Ahead of the rains this year, the Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA) has warned residents of the state to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially in the waterways and channels to prevent flooding.

The General Manager of the agency, Sanitarian Oyewole Fatai Oladosu, gave the warning in an interview with our Correspondent in his office on Wednesday.

According to the General Manager, “refuse will block the flow of water leading to flooding and may lead to loss of lives and property.

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“Dumping of plastic or cellophane wastes into waterways and canals indiscriminately causes flooding because these wastes block the water ways when not properly disposed off.

“However, as part of the statutory duty of the OWMA, we regularly send out officers to arrest people who dispose their wastes in places not designated for refuse disposal.

“According to the laws of OWMA, dumping of refuse indiscriminately is an offense punishable by imprisonment or a fine of N25, 000 or both, or as however deemed fit by the court.

“Our officers are always out to sensitise and arrest those acting against environmental laws; this is to deter indiscriminate refuse disposal and as a way of keeping Osun clean,” he said.

Sanitarian Oladosu enjoined inhabitants of the state to always patronise and partner with the assigned refuse contractor within their domain at a fee for ease of refuse collection and transportation.

The General Manager used the medium to commends the state governor, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke for declaring zero tolerance for dirty environment in Osun in order to avert epidemic diseases.

Sanitarian Oladosu, added that the present administration in Osun had always been responsive to all issues, especially those related to the safety of lives and property urging people of the state to corporate with the government in creating good environment.