The October edition of the monthly Environmental Sanitation exercise recorded high level of compliance among the residents in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Several residents were seen cleaning and clearing their surroundings, even as human and vehicular movement was restricted.
However, no fewer than 42 persons were arrested at different locations within Akure metropolis over various environmental offences.
The General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA, Rev’d Mrs Ayo Adeyemo who led other top officials of the Authority to monitor the exercise confirmed this shortly after the sanitation exercise.
She said those arrested were taken to court for appropriate punishments in accordance with the law.
Rev’d Adeyemo particularly condemned the situation at Adebowale junction, Ondo Road, where some people were engaging in buying and selling while others were doing other things contrary to the spirit of the monthly sanitation exercise.
Also, at Ajipowo community where a particular church was holding service during the sanitation hours, the GM warmed that sanitation hours are not meant for church programme but for cleanliness.
She admonished the residents to always respect the laws, do the right things at the right time and cultivate the habit of environmental cleanliness in the interest of all.
Rev’d Adeyemo also cautioned the people against dumping of waste in unauthorised places and locations, saying offenders would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Please, let us love our state, let us love ourselves and our environment. If you love yourself and your state, you will do things right and keep your environment clean”, she stressed.
While commending the residents for their compliance with the sanitation exercise, the GM equally encouraged them to sustain the tempo to ensure safer and healthier environment across the state.
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