Health
Oyo govt. creates new refuse landfills, loading stations
Oyo State Government in its bid to ensure safe and effective waste management in line with international best practices has created additional two landfills situated at Igbokanda Village, Ido Local Government area and Morowona Village at Akinyele Local Government area in Ibadan.
Five transfer loading stations have also been added to the existing stations to ease the loading of refuse across the State.
These loading stations are located at Opawole community in Ido Local Government area, Ajao community in Oluyole Local Government area, Arinakuta Village in Egbeda Local Government area, and Adedokun Village in Lagelu Local Government area.
The reason for this moves according to the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju were to de-congest the existing refuse landfills at Lapite, Awotan, Ajakanga, Abeeku and Sabo municipals as a result of complaints made by the people of these communities.
Dr. Olanrewaju revealed this while on an inspection tour of the existing landfills at Awotan and Ajakanga in Ibadan alongside the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, (TPL) Ademola Ajibola and members of the State refuse management team.
“As far as waste management is concerned, it is mandatory for us as a government in ensuring safe and healthy environment that will not be harmful to the well being of the citizens in the State.
“These new sites will help decongest the mass of refuse at those other areas and we will relocate from sites where people have built houses around the area to avoid creating health hazard, that is the essence of the new sites.”
“We are currently working on the drainage system and a good road network around the refuse area to avert liquid wastes finding its way into people’s homes while also ensuring that vehicles have easy access to the sit.e”
“It is also our intention to collaborate with the community members in the treatment of their wells towards ensuring that their water is not polluted. As a matter of fact, fumigation of the refuse areas is ongoing and the team had held meeting with the landlord association of the landfill area as well the scavengers association in order to achieve sustainable waste management process that will be beneficial to all.”
He said the new transfer loading stations would be a support mechanism to the landfills while environmental waste disposal technologies would be deployed in separating the waste, hence creating a sustainable livelihoods through recycling of such wastes.
He added that and the move was also a way of mobilizing the community members who actually generate the wastes, thereby averting environmental pollution and ecological degradation that could result as a result of mismanagement of our collective wastes
In his words, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ademola Ajibola hinted that as a matter of urgency, the Ministry would initiate the acquisition procedures of the new landfills and transfer loading stations, noting further that this would entail the proper enumeration of the land area and disbursement of adequate compensations to legitimate land owners where necessary before it would be finally handed over to the Ministry of Environment for use.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Landlord Association at Awotan, Mr. Ayoade Fagbemi expressed gratitude to the State Government for its immediate response the request for the clearing of the drainage system in their area.
Mr. Fagbemi assured the government that residents of Awotan would continue to support the Ministry in achieving its mandate of having a clean environment that would attract foreign investors.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has ordered the immediate closure of the Gomboru drug market in Maiduguri following severe flooding that submerged the area and contaminated the drugs sold within the market.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, NAFDAC disclosed that the decision was made after reports surfaced that contaminated drugs, which had been washed and sun-dried for resale, were being sold at the market.
“After the recent flooding in Maiduguri that submerged the Gomboru drug market where contaminated drugs were washed and sun-dried for resale, the @DGatNAFDAC ordered the immediate closure of the market to conduct a thorough shop-to-shop removal of these compromised drugs,” the agency wrote.
The flooding, which ravaged Maiduguri, was triggered by the rupture of the Alau dam on the Ngadda River, located 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the city.
The floodwaters claimed at least 30 lives and displaced 400,000 residents, leaving large parts of the city and surrounding areas in devastation.
NAFDAC’s intervention is aimed at safeguarding public health by preventing the sale and consumption of contaminated drugs.
The agency has mobilized teams to inspect the market and ensure the removal of all compromised pharmaceutical products.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State has expressed deep concern following the recent outbreak of cholera cases in the state.
Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water and food, poses significant health risks, particularly in densely populated areas with inadequate sanitation.
Oseni urged residents of Oyo State, especially those in his constituency, to prioritise hygiene practices and strictly adhere to recommended safety measures, emphasising the critical importance of proactive measures to halt the disease’s spread.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the state capital, the lawmaker underscored the necessity of maintaining clean water sources and practicing proper sanitation methods.
“Cholera outbreaks can be significantly reduced if we all take responsibility for our hygiene habits and ensure our surroundings are clean,” he stated.
The APC chieftain also stressed the urgency of seeking prompt medical attention at the first signs of symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, which are characteristic of cholera.
“Early detection and treatment are crucial in combating cholera and preventing its spread. Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation are fundamental rights that must be upheld, especially during health crises like this,” he asserted.
Oseni further called for unity and collective action in combating the cholera outbreak.
He expressed confidence that through concerted efforts and vigilant adherence to preventive measures, communities can contain and ultimately overcome this challenging public health issue.
“By working together, maintaining vigilance, and prioritising hygiene practices, we can effectively mitigate the impact of cholera on our communities,” the lawmaker concluded.
Resident doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo State have initiated a 14-day warning strike, as confirmed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
The strike action, led by the association’s President, John Matthew, highlights various grievances, notably the non-payment of seven months’ salaries to new members.
Matthew added that the strike also addresses the non-payment of palliative to House Officers since February, the failure to disburse the February Hazard Allowance despite prior assurances from the state government, and the ongoing shortage of staff due to resignations.
Matthew lamented the drastic decrease in resident doctors, citing a decrease from 150 doctors to a mere 26 in recent months.
In response to the situation, he urged management to prioritise the full payment of arrears owed to members, immediate payment of the February 2024 palliative to house officers, and prompt disbursement of the February hazard allowance.
The association further called for urgent measures to address the critical shortage of clinical manpower within the institution.
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