The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Chief ( Mrs) Tosin Aluko has assured Ekiti people that her Ministry is not only working on how to make Ekiti clean but to generate wealth through wastes.
She said her Ministry is working on partnership with private Organisations, PSP on how to change public toilet wastes to gas and converting wastes to money, adding that the Ministry is set to visit Lagos State to understudy their waste management to replicate and improve such in Ekiti State.
Chief (Mrs)Tosin Aluko disclosed these while playing host to Nigeria Union of Journalists, Online Chapel on Friday in her office. She bemoaned indiscriminate dumping of refuse across the state, despite sensitization Programmes for the residents on radio and road shows. she said many chose to dump their wastes at an authorised places.
The Commissioner averred that offenders would be severely dealt with to serve as deterrent to others. According to her “When we were defending our budget at the ministry of budget for 2024, we approached the ministry of budget and economic planning that we want to reactivate our mobile hubs, and they allocated some amount for us.
“We have to buy like 5 to 6 canopies to be stationed at strategic locations, we will make use of security personnel, staff and staionaries.
“We will make use of the existing laws of environmental, health and sanitation laws, waste management authority but it’s significant to note that these laws are not enough.
“Before the first quarter of 2024, we will have more arrangements on ground for prosecution.“The 5,000 prosecution fee will be reviewed to 10000k, and other necessary punishments so that will deter others from flouting laws”
The Commissioner further stated that efforts are on to employ more environmental staff and beautify the state with flowers.
On houses without toilets, the Commissioner said appropriate steps would be taken, Saying the ministry would step up sensitization Programmes to ensure Ekiti is clean at all times.
On flooding, the Commissioner said the timely intervention of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for disilating drainages and dredging water ways had helped the state reduce the haock of flood on the residents.
She commended the Governor for initiating programmes that will develop the state.
Earlier, the Chairman Online Chapel, Mr Charles Abere had sought the co-operation of the Commissioner in projecting the activities of her ministry. While, responding, the Permanent Secrertary of the ministry and the Commissioner promised to work harmoniously with the online chapel.
Present at the meeting were:
PS, Director of the Ministry and General Manager of the Ministry of Environment.