The increasing littering of Ibadan City with wastes is fast turning the once inviting city with aesthetic looks into appalling state resulting from the indiscriminating disposal of wastes by her inhabitants.
The many effects of indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes include but not limited to exposing human to environmental degradation such as in flooding, drainage obstruction, widespread of infectious diseases, cholera, diarrhea, typhoid fever, waterway blockage which leads to infestation of flies, ticks and breeding of mosquitoes that cause malaria.
Previous governments put up series of programmes to ensure that Ibadan City, like other places in Oyo State, were kept clean.
In the days of the Otunba Dr Adebayo Alao Akala led administration in the state, we had Environmental Akalism, an initiative of the then Commissioner For Environment and Water Resources, Mr Majekodunmi Aborode.
Many functional Waste disposal trucks of international standard were bought. Periodic trainings and seminars was organised for the staff of the ministry while the welfare of the staff was improved and well attended to while other motivational incentives were equally put in place to boost the morale of these workers.
The ones dirtiest city in Nigeria became one of the neatest cities during this era (2007 to 2011).
The government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the Late Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, The Builder Of Modern Oyo State (2011 to 2015, first tenure) did not only continue to operate on the existing policies but also remodified and standardized the policy framework to ensure that Ibadan became more attractive for visiting and business.
Between 2015 to 2019, the late Ajimobi did not only give the Ibadan city the best ever facelift with beautiful friendly sights, he also made sure that cleanliness was sustained.
Why is Governor Seyi Makinde finding it so difficult to follow these lofty and functional policy frameworks of his predeccessors since government and governance, they say, is continum?
The reverse is the case in Ibadan City as disposing of wastes at strategic places keeps increasing.
Passing through Monatan to Iwo Road, from Gbenla to Oje to Beere to Molete and sadly to challenge areas, not forgetting the main markets like Bodija, Gbagi, Ogunpa, Aleshinloye, Ojoo, Shasha, and others, one would wonder if the Agodi Government House, where the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde resides, is still in Ibadan.
The situation at Mapo, Iyana Adeoyo, Ring Road, Town Planning round about,Eleyele Junction to mention but a few are too embarrassing and dangerous for human existence.
Sadly, the large waste containers, where they are being provided, are not attended to by the authorities in charge for reasons best known to them.
A visit to the Solid Waste office revealed very embarrassing scenario among the state government, workers of Oyo State Waste Management Authority and the Oyo State Waste Contractors.
Some of the many questions begging for answers include ; how much did the GSM led administration budget for the ministry out of the over #158b borrowed so far by the state government, if truly the welfare of the people is his priority? Why is the Oyo State Waste Management Authority not performing as expected?Why is the Oyo Ministry Of Environment and Water Resources putting the precious lives of the people in danger by not ensuring these wastes are being cleared off ?
The outbreak of cholera and any disease as a result of the lackadaisical attitudes of the state government will be too dangerous and very expensive to control.
Why is the Oyo State Ministry Of Health keeping mute, not living to her responsibilities and putting the lives of the people in danger?
This is a clarion call on the Oyo State government led by Seyi Makinde to keep all sectors of governance effectively functional for the good of the people of Oyo State to justify the many wasteful millions, claimed to be spent annually on these same fruitless tasks.
