Osun To Parade Roadside Refuse Dumpers, Impose ₦50,000 Fine

The Osun State Government has warned that residents caught dumping refuse on roads will be made to sweep the street, pay a N50,000 fine and be paraded publicly.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, gave the warning while speaking on the activities of the Special Task Force on Environment during a programme on the state-owned radio on Saturday.

Adejoorin, who is the Deputy Chairman of the task force, said residents have abandoned proper waste disposal channels and resorted to dumping waste on roads at night.

“Instead of getting a waste bin and engaging waste collection companies, residents have resorted to dumping their refuse on the road. They usually do this at night, and the state government has been clearing the waste because we do not want the state to become dirty,” he said.

He added: “However, we must put a stop to this, and we are warning those who dump refuse on our roads to desist or face the consequences. Everybody should look for the proper way to dispose of their refuse. The road is not a waste bin.

“We are going to evacuate all the refuse, but it has become law that anyone caught dumping refuse on the road will face the consequences. The state government has put a task force in place to apprehend violators, irrespective of who they are. Apart from being made to sweep the street, the culprit will also pay a fine of N50,000 and be paraded before the media.”

Also speaking during the programme, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs and member of the Osun Environment Committee, Muniru Raji, said market traders have been warned against dumping waste by the roadside.

“We are also warning our market men and women, especially those trading by the major roadsides, to stop dumping refuse on the road. We have invited market leaders of Igbona, Orisunmibare, Sabo, Ota-Efun, Kobongbogboe, Oke-Fia, Alekuwodo, Sasa, Oke Baale, Olu Ode, Station Road and Owode Ede markets to a sensitisation meeting,” Raji said.