From Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Osun State government yesterday reacted to a report credited to the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, and Clean-Up Nigeria which rated the state as the dirtiest in the country.
The state government faulted the claim, declaring that Osun remains one of the cleanest states in Nigeria today.
Special Adviser to the governor on Environment and Sanitation, Babatunde Balogun, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo, described the claim as a ruse, baseless and barbaric, saying it was a deliberate attempt to destroy the good work of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Balogun, who reiterated the commitment of Governor Adeleke’s administration to deal with the numerous challenges posed by environmental degradation in the state, noted that “with all sense of responsibility, Osun State today remains one of the cleanest states in the country, as both the state capital and major cities are always kept clean daily by sweepers, parkers, as well as PSP operators.
“We have some large trucks functioning well with small trucks packing over 2,000 tonnes of waste to our various dump sites every day for effective management. So, how could a group gather false statements to tarnish the good work and image of Governor Adeleke? This is uncalled for and we reject such a write-up. We are warning them to desist from such act.”
He emphasised that Governor Adeleke hd already declared zero tolerance for bad environment and is keen towards creating a conducive and clean environment for citizens of the state.
“On issues of waste collection, there is no day that our trucks do not collect refuse, there is no holiday, as every day is a working day for the officials in charge.
“Similarly, the insecurity in the country does not warrant 5am collection. Our work starts by 6.30am and if the group is knowledgeable enough, they should know that by 1pm of each day, the city roads are clean.
“Mr Governor is working assiduously on innovations that will assist the environment and sanitation sector, and also ensure that the state shines amongst its equals.
“That is why we are always charging residents to take concrete actions towards ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment as a way of assisting government.
“So it is on this note that I, on behalf of the Osun State government, want the United Nations Environmental Programme to do a proper investigation and not tarnish the image and work of others to get cheap political interest.
“We have many agencies in the state that are saddled with environmental responsibilities, one of them is Osun Waste Management Agency, OWMA among others,” the governor’s aide said.
