Akure residents, traders applaud ODSWMA over evacuation of waste during Xmas, new year festive period
Some residents and traders within Akure, the Ondo State capital, have applauded the Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA), for the sustained evacuation of waste across Akure metropolis during and after the festive season.
They said the laudable development was a big relief to them as all major roads and areas which always record heaps of waste were completely free of refuse during the Christmas and new year celebration due to the relentless and sustained efforts of ODSWMA under its General Manager, Rev. (Mrs) Ayo Adeyemo.
ODSWMA had maintained regular evacuation of waste within Akure metropolis even on Christmas and new year days, all in a bid to ensure residents celebrate in a cleaner and safer environment.
Commending the ODSWMA leadership on Wednesday in Akure, some traders at Oja-Oba, including Mrs Aina Bamidele; Mrs Adeyinka Salewa; Mr Kayode Olaniyi and Mrs Lola Alade, equally confirmed that all the waste generated by the traders during the festive season was all evacuated, thereby making the affected areas free of refuse.
They particularly appreciated ODSWMA for not allowing waste constitute nuisance that may lead to epidemic in any part of the State capital during the Christmas and new year celebration.
Also commending the Authority, some residents including Olumide Adelani and Eunice Balogun, said they were impressed that all the major roads such as Oba Adesida through Oyemelun Road, Arakale through NEPA Road among other areas were kept clean during the busy festive period.
They equally promised to continue to cooperate and support the ODSWMA to do more to ensure healthy living.
Speaking on the development, the ODSWMA General Manager, Reverend (Mrs) Ayo Adeyemo, emphasised that cleanliness of environment should be a daily affair regardless of the season.
She explained that they were able to achieve the laudable feat during the period because they designed some strategies and strengthened the Enforcement and Monitoring activities, while all officers across departments were also on the field day and night including Christmas and new year days.
“I mandated everybody to be on ground. They were also on night policing to ensure people did not bring their waste to the median. We even used Hilux vehicles to evacuate waste. We desilted drainages and kept everywhere clean.
“We also embarked on advocacy, telling people not to dump waste in unauthorized places and any violator would be arrested. We were also on the neck of the evacuators to ensure they evacuate promptly so that we can have a healthier and cleaner environment.
“So no Christmas or new year for us at Waste Management Authority because all of us were on field even till today because our service is essential, but I have promised to compensate them for this”, the GM stressed.
She also encouraged the people of the State to continue to cooperate and support the government as it determined to make the state cleaner and healthier for the benefit of all.
