_By Abbas Nazil_
As Easter celebrations commence across the country, the Ogun State Government has urged residents and visitors to prioritize environmental cleanliness and public hygiene during the holiday period.
In a statement released on Friday in Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean, healthy, and safe environment as part of the celebration.
Congratulating Christians and all residents of the state on witnessing another Easter season, Oresanya called for a collective effort in ensuring the state remains clean throughout the festivities.
He advised residents to make cleanliness a personal and communal responsibility by cleaning their surroundings, clearing blocked drainage channels, and properly storing waste in covered containers.
To ensure efficient waste collection during the holiday, the state government has mandated all Public Sector Participation (PSP) waste operators to work without break during the Easter period.
These operators have been directed to service all assigned areas promptly to address the expected rise in waste generation associated with increased human activities during the celebration.
Furthermore, all government environmental officials and waste management equipment have been fully deployed across the state to support special Easter sanitation duties.
Dr. Oresanya also addressed traders, especially those operating in busy commercial areas, urging them to conduct their businesses in hygienic conditions and adhere to environmental safety guidelines.
He warned against street trading, which often leads to indiscriminate waste disposal and environmental degradation.
The Environment Marshalls, he noted, would be on patrol throughout the state to enforce cleanliness and orderliness in marketplaces and public areas.
The Commissioner issued a stern warning to “emergency traders” who sell goods—particularly livestock—on roadsides, medians, and in unauthorized public spaces, advising them to relocate to official market spaces which he said are adequate and accessible.
He stressed that the state government would not hesitate to confiscate goods and prosecute defaulters found violating environmental regulations or defacing the aesthetic quality of public spaces through illegal street trading.
Additionally, motorists were advised to drive carefully and remain mindful of street sweepers who will be on duty to maintain the cleanliness of major roads and highways.
Oresanya also called on carnival and event organizers to refrain from blocking roads for their events, noting that such actions are prohibited under state environmental laws.
He reiterated that a clean and organized environment is not only critical for public health but also for preserving the natural beauty of the state.
The call serves as a reminder that festive periods should not be an excuse for environmental neglect, but rather an opportunity for citizens to demonstrate their commitment to a healthier and more sustainable Ogun State.
