By Mary Agidi


The Ondo State Waste Management Board has taken emergency action to clear an illegal dumpsite at Odopetu Market, Akure, after discovering that waste disposal at the location posed a significant health risk.

Chairman of the board, Mrs. Olayinka Alabi-Oladapo, led an inspection visit to the market on Thursday, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. According to her, an abandoned plot of land within the market had been turned into a dumpsite by traders, leading to unsanitary conditions that could trigger an epidemic.

“This has become a health risk, and as a responsible government, we must act swiftly,” she stated.

The inspection coincided with the state’s weekly market sanitation exercise, observed every Thursday. However, efforts to remove the refuse were initially met with resistance, as market representatives cited a court injunction preventing access to the land.

Mrs. Alabi-Oladapo, however, insisted that the health implications outweighed any legal restrictions. “This is an emergency. We are not taking the land away; we are only ensuring that we don’t face an epidemic,” she clarified.

Following consultations with the traditional ruler, the Kabiyesi of Odopetu, and other stakeholders, an agreement was reached to proceed with the evacuation. The chairman commended the cooperation of the market leaders and reiterated the board’s commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment.

She affirmed that the cleanup operation, involving government waste management vehicles, would commenced immediately, while reinforcing the government’s resolve to enforce sanitation laws and prevent future indiscriminate dumping of waste in public spaces.

Oladapo-Alabi expressed determination to obtain court injunction to close the market till the evacuation is completed in order to forestall disease outbreak, while berating the attitude of residents for blaming the government for the state of the abandoned land.

She warned land owners to take responsibility for their abandoned property, noting that government can seize any abandoned property that contributes nuisance to the society like the case in Odopetu.

Responding on behalf of the community, the Olotin Of Odopetu, Chief Ogunsusi Muyiwa expressed the readiness of the community to cooperate with the government on any decision taken.