Environmental sanitation: Osun inaugurates Special Task Force

The Osun state Government has set up a Special Task Force on Environmental sanitation aimed at strengthening the enforcement of environmental laws so as to sustain a clean, healthy and habitable environment throughout the state.

The announcement was contained in a statement by Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment on Monday.

The Task Force is to be chaired by the state Head Of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina and deputised by the Hon. Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon Mayowa Adejoorin.

The core mandate of the taskforce is to tackle environmental infractions throughout Osun state particularly indiscriminate waste disposals in drains and roadsides as well as other places that have the potential of constituting environmental nuisances.

The state government particularly viewed with great concern and accordingly flayed the indiscriminate manner with which people litter many places including road medians with dirts and debris of different kinds, an act which it further noted could cause serious environmental hazards.

The State Government while putting in place the taskforce urged its members to ensure that all enforcement activities are diligently carried out in accordance with the law.

Government warned that offenders will be accordingly prosecuted if, henceforth, they are caught or found culpable in one way or the other in negating all the environmental laws of the state.

It also urged the Special Task Force on Environmental sanitation to remain committed to due process in the discharge of its core duties and mandates.

Other members of the Samuel Ayanleye Aina led Special Task Force on Environmental sanitation are the Hon. Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, Alh.Muniru Raji, General Manager, Osun State Waste Management Agency(OWMA), Mr Oyewole Fatai Oladosu and Mr.K.K.Oyelami.

Other members of the taskforce are Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Hon. Omoyele Isaac Adekunle, Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief (Mrs) Ayobola Fadeyi Awolowo and Special Adviser to the Governor on Market Affairs, Mrs Eniola Omotoso.

Many residents of the state have complained about the government’s ability to curtail the indiscriminate dumping of refuse across several parts of Osogbo and other major cities.