Kehinde Adeleye
In a decisive move to ensure environmental cleanliness and hygiene, the Environmental Task Force (ETF) under the aegis of the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area (LGA) embarked on a comprehensive assessment and monitoring initiative, targeting various public spaces, markets, residential areas, and food stores throughout the community.
The ETF team, with the backing of the LGA, has shown an unwavering commitment to identifying and addressing any potential environmental hazards, enforcing regulations, and maintaining standards that promote a safe and healthy environment for all residents and visitors.
The findings of the ETF’s inspection on September 5, 2024, revealed a dire state of environmental mismanagement in Ifako-Ijaiye, with a multitude of issues threatening public health and safety.
The ETF noted numerous exposed sewage systems and improper waste disposal methods that caused air pollution, impacting the well-being of residents and the ecosystem. These findings were further compounded by the identification of unlawful waste dumping sites, causing significant damage to the community’s drainage system and exacerbating existing environmental challenges.
In the course of their evaluation, the ETF also uncovered residential units with inadequate waste disposal systems and obstructed drainage, fostering unhygienic living conditions. This alarming development, along with the aforementioned observations, highlighted the urgent necessity for immediate remedial action to address the critical environmental concerns that threatened the quality of life in Ifako-Ijaiye.
With the ETF’s findings serving as a stark reminder of the escalating environmental crisis, swift and decisive steps must be taken to halt further degradation and restore a safe, healthy environment for the community and its inhabitants.
Following their observations, the ETF submitted a comprehensive report to the Executive Chairman, Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat, and the Vice Chairman, who oversees their operations, detailing their findings and proposing remedial measures to address the environmental challenges. The recommended actions included drainage clearance, debris removal, and enforcement initiatives to tackle the identified issues.
In response to the distressing findings of the Environmental Task Force, the Council Chairman took decisive action, issuing directives for the immediate rectification of all identified drainage issues.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation and the potential ramifications on public health and safety, the Chairman made clear that the alleviation of environmental concerns in the community was a top priority, mandating a swift and comprehensive clean-up effort.
Abimbola Akingbesote, Head of the Environmental Task Force (ETF), stated that the team will undertake additional preliminary activities to encourage active resident participation in achieving a greener and cleaner Ifako-Ijaiye. She explained that no enforcement actions were taken during the initial exercise due to extenuating circumstances, but future operations will include enforcement measures, as the ETF has implemented a zero-tolerance policy towards environmental infractions in Ifako-Ijaiye.
It may be recalled that the Environmental Task Force (ETF) was recently inaugurated by Prince Usman Akanbi Hamzat to promote a sustainable environment and address environmental challenges in Ifako-Ijaiye.
