By Gbenga Ojikutu
To avert breakout of killer communicable diseases, the Ekiti State Government, has warned citizens against locating dump sites near residential buildings, saying this could endanger the health of the citizens.
The government added that such habit could easily predispose residents to lethal diseases like Cholera and Diarrhea, among others.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye gave the warning in Ilupeju Ekiti, on Saturday, while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Oye Local Government Area of the state.
Places visited include Ire, Ilupeju,Oye, and Ayegbaju Ekiti, all in Oye LGA.
According to a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, Mrs Afuye urged residents to always locate their refuse and sewage sites far from residential areas to prevent health hazards.
“This environmental sanitation is for your own sake and safety. We pray we don’t have epidemics in Ekiti, but you can’t be locating dump sites near your homes and expect your wellness not to be endangered.
“I appeal to you, try and correct this anomaly for your safety. We didn’t want you to be spending your hard earned monies on sickness,” she advised.
The deputy governor also stopped at Oye Central Market to sensitise the traders against displaying their wares during environmental sanitation, saying this violates the State Environmental Sanitation Law.
She, thereafter, visited the palace of Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, to make a formal report about the illegality of traders operating in the market during the sanitation exercise.
Mrs Afuye and the monarch later addressed the traders inside the market, with a warning to desist from such illegal conduct.
In her warning, the deputy governor said citizens who violate the exercise are deemed as saboteurs and would not escape punishment if found culpable.
“Next time we see you like this, we won’t hesitate to arrest you and confiscate all your goods while those arrested will be made to face the full weight of the law. But, I want to appeal to you that you shouldn’t allow this to happen,” she warned.
Oba Ademolaju, in his admonition, described the violation as very disturbing, saying the leaders of the market women had done enough sensitisation on the need to comply with the monthly environmental sanitation.
Expressing disappointment over the traders’ action, the monarch warned that such conduct shouldn’t repeat itself in subsequent editions, noting that the government has the power to arrest violators and impose sanctions accordingly
