By KEHINDE AKINPELU, ILORIN
A high-powered intersectorial committee on environmental health has been set up to check the menace of indiscriminate handling of waste in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
Speaking at the inauguration of the committee, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Pastor Abraham Kola Ojo charged all the Environmental Health Stakeholders that all hands must be on deck to curb the inadequacies of discharging their duties.
He stressed the need to liaise with all the relevant bodies to curb effects of environmental menace pose to the environment as it is getting worse daily rather than achieving a positive result.
Pastor Kola reminded them that since they are all knowledgeable about the sanitary situation, solutions are to be proffered to achieve positive outcome on curbing the nuisance.
In his words, ” this has been a worrisome and concerned situation that needs a quick and rapt attention of all environmental health stakeholders in the state; solution is imminent and paramount. All contributions are necessary now”.
The Permanent Secretary, however, set up The technical committee, set up by the Permanent Secretary, comprise stakeholders in the environmental health sector and management of the ministry.
The Chairman, Taskforce on Environmental Issue , Alhaji Jidda Abdulrasaq said the Governor is always proactive in decision making, especially on environmental issues.
He suggested some guidelines as holding meeting with all environmental health personnel and building of mini legal dumpsites at designated places.
Other guidelines, according to him, are Local government working in synergy with the state environmental health officers for effectiveness, large bins provided at populated places, getting enough equipments, personnel by social contractors and the reawaken of relevant agencies.
The Eco Clean Consultant, Mr Ajide Sunday, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, appreciated the Governor for his timely intervention to issues relating to the environment.Mr Ajide promised that the technical committee set up will not relent in taking a quick action in addressing and combating the situation.
He said, the orientation and sensitization of the people will be needed and all relevant bodies to be involved will be contacted.
