2 hours ago
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Kwara State Government has issued a strong warning to the general public, particularly road users and residents along the Tunde Idiagbon Airport Road axis in Ilorin, the state capital, to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the roadside.
Such acts, the government warned, would henceforth be treated as environmental abuse and indiscipline, punishable under existing environmental laws.
The General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), Jide Aina, gave the warning while actively participating in a special clean-up exercise along Airport Road.
He expressed deep concern over the persistent misuse of the area, which has regrettably been turned into an illegal dumpsite by some unpatriotic individuals.
Aina lamented that despite the proactive intervention of the Kwara State Government through the Ministry of Environment, particularly the provision of four large Roro bins to facilitate proper waste disposal, some residents continue to dump refuse indiscriminately along the road setback.
He described the situation as unacceptable and a clear disregard for government efforts aimed at promoting a clean, safe, and healthy environment.
The KWEPA boss also condemned the practice of open burning of refuse along the road, warning that it poses serious environmental and public health risks to both residents and road users.
He stressed that illegal dumping and open burning of waste are criminal offences under the state environmental laws and will no longer be tolerated.
According to him, KWEPA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, has deployed environmental monitoring and enforcement teams to the affected areas.
He warned that any individual caught engaging in illegal dumping, open burning, or related environmental offences would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Jide Aina called on residents across the state to support the government’s environmental sanitation drive by adopting responsible waste disposal practices.
He emphasized that environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility and a civic duty essential for public health, safety, and sustainable development.
The clean-up exercise attracted the participation of top government officials, including the Commissioner for Environment, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, and other senior officials, underscoring the state government’s commitment to restoring and sustaining a clean, safe, and environmentally friendly state.
