By: Oluwatosin Adesola
An outbreak of Cholera and other environmental epidemic is now looming in Akure and other major towns in Ondo State, as heaps of refuse litter the town.
Akure, the Ondo State Capital in time past have not only been noted for its peaceful and tranquility, but also it is referred to as the second most cleanest State capital after Calabar in Cross river state.
SUNSHINETRUTH correspondent observes that a drive through the state capital and other major towns gives nothing but a sheer satisfaction at seeing citizens who are conscious of their environment and are dedicated to keeping it clean.
Although the state government evacuated the refuse on Sunday in some parts of Akure but the waste has littered the streets again in the last 24hours while waste in many areas has not even been attended to due to ongoing strike by the waste workers.
According to a resident, Femi Salako, “the narrative is fast changing in the light of the recent waste that has been left unattended to at various strategic point across the state capital.
“The world just survived the outbreak of the novel virus, COVID-19; we must be proactive enough not to give any loopholes for germs and diseases to make the state capital their breeding ground.
“We therefore appeal to the state government to take proactive measures and ensure that the agency responsible for this address this issue.
“Akure is for all of us, it’s the pride of us all as it is the state capital. We must put up our collective efforts to keeping it safe.Some areas in Akure, including Isikan, Oba Adesida, Oyemekun, Arakale and Old Garage were littered with refuse as residents dumped their waste indiscriminately on the roads.
Most markets now stink as heaps of refuse, which are now the order of the day, mounts in the markets.
Some residents of the state, who expressed fear over the ugly development, urged Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to be proactive on the matter to avert an outbreak of diseases in the state capital.
Also speaking, a medical practitioner, Dr Femi Idowu said epidemic is looming in the state if the government failed to address the situation.
SUNSHINETRUTH also learnt that the refusal of waste collectors to pack the refuse followed the commencement of a strike by waste collectors over an alleged N130m debt owed by the state government and the company (ZL) managing the waste.
One of the collectors who preferred to speak anonymously, said they embarked on indefinite strike last week over unpaid salaries.
However, Dr Idowu appealed to the state government to urgently do something before the state witness outbreak of diseases associated with dirty environment