In a bid to forestall the outbreak of cholera that’s ravaging several states of the Federation, Osun State Government has taken steps to continually raise awareness and educate various communities, including markets.
This is so as the Ministry of Environment and Sanitation took to the streets and markets in Ile-Ife to sensitize the community on the danger of indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Oyegbami who led the Environmental Marshals for the sensitization campaign noted that it became a necessity to carry out the exercise in order to prevent an outbreak of not just cholera but also other diseases.
He explained that Osun State Government has alerted residents of the State to be wary of the outbreak of cholera which has occurred in some parts of the country, urging everyone to embrace hygienic practices.
Mr. Oyegbami said, “the essence of our intervention here today is to sensitize the people of Ile-Ife and the State at large on the need for them to be committed to a neat environment.
“We are all aware of the fact that about 30 States of the federation are currently affected by cholera, and we are fortunate today in the state that we don’t have such incidents.
“The state Governor, Asiwaju Ademola Adeleke is committed to making sure that the issues of cholera outbrake is forbidden in Osun”
He however appealed to them to always make use of the refuse trucks being provided for them by the State Government.
The commissioner also appealed to the residents to make use of the PSP which will be introduced to them for refuse collection in exchange for a token because they are in partnership with the State Government. He advised that they make use of it from time to time and not keep their refuse at home. He warned that serious sanctions will be meted on anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately.
However, the Senior Special Assistant, Oluwapelumi Ojo, affirmed that all hands are on deck to prevent an outbreak in the state, urging the residents to embrace a deliberate culture of cleanliness.
He assured the people that preventive spread of cholera is achievable in Osun State and sensitizing people is the first step that needs to be taken to the success of it as people needs to understand the importance of a clean environment.
Meanwhile the Director, Environmental, Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Environment and Sanitation, Mr. Wale Akala urged the residents of the community to maintain the Ministry’s intervention of maintaining the cleanliness of their environment.
In his words, “We told the leader of the markets, the health officials and other stakeholders to ensure the maintenance of what we have come to do today, so there won’t be any outbrake of diseases and not just cholera.
Reacting to the visit of the Government Officials to their community, the Seriki Hausa of Ile Ife, Alhaji Malamin Seidu explained that most of the problems they encounter during raining seasons comes from those selling fruits beside them, who are fond of dumping refuse when it’s raining.
He promised to ensure that the Hausas complied and continue with what has been explained to them and appealed that there should be sanctions from the State Government for those that are dumping refuse indiscriminately in order to curb the act.
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