The Oyo State Government has arrested and prosecuted 44 violators of street trading in various parts of the Ibadan metropolis, in the state.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Rotimi Babalola revealed that the violators were arrested along Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan North; Salvation Army/Ogunpa, Ibadan Northwest; Anajere market, Academy, Iwo road, in Lagelu and Egbeda Local Government areas of the state.
He added that; “The intensified effort is aimed at ensuring streets get more sanitised and environment-friendly, by getting rid of hawkers and traders in all inappropriate locations in the state, as a follow-up to the myriads of warnings and sensitisation against street-trading by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.”
According to him, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Modupe Adeleye, mobilised a formidable team of Directors of the Ministry, officers of the Oyo State Road Transport Maintenance Agency (OYRTMA) and the Environmental Task Force, for the enforcement in markets within the Ibadan metropolis.
The Director reports that the state government had spontaneously frowned at the situation, especially as it causes untimely death of residents and passers-by and has been a big concern to the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.
Adeleye, in her reaction, frowned at the recalcitrant attitude of some marketers who flaunted the earlier warnings of government and charged all market officials to maximally encourage market men and women to always support government policies in ensuring a healthy environment, assuring of government’s commitment to securing the lives of all citizens in the state.
The duo of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Local Government Service Commission had earlier held a joint interactive meeting towards attaining an overwhelming safe environment in state.
Directors of Environmental Health Services, both from the the thirty-three Local Government Area Councils and LCDAs in the state, had been invited for sensitisation on the need to collaborate and adhere strictly to Oyo State Government policies and regulations at putting a check to environmental degradation, and ensuring an all-round sustainable healthy environment.
Adeleye had earlier reminded officers of their importance and duties to a clean environment, and the need to take prompt and proactive steps at bringing down every hindrance, charging all Environmental Health Officers in the state to do enough in the areas of sanitation and street trading towards achieving the 2.0 agenda of Governor Makinde, as declared in his second term inaugural speech, for a zero tolerance to environmental degradation.
She maintained that the officers should always check their conscience and be more upright and corrupt-free to command respect in the course of their duties, emphasising that the issues of street trading, environmental pollution, and evacuation of unidentifiable corpses are great menaces to the environment.
For his part, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Mr Taiwo Olafimihan Adewale, also charged the officers to form strong resolve at ensuring the singular goal of a safe environment.
He affirmed that while unethical conduct would not be tolerated, the Commission would ensure all challenges mentioned by the officers at the interactive session are strictly addressed, especially issues bordering on planning, provision of operational working tools, and inadequate staff.
PIAK
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