Ekiti Govt Intensifies Measures Against Odour Nuisance, Rolls Out Emergency Lines

The Ekiti State Government has intensified efforts to address the reported persistent odour nuisance in parts of Ado-Ekiti and neighbouring communities, with stakeholders calling for stronger collaboration, enforcement, scientific investigations and increased public sensitisation to tackle the challenge.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting convened to deliberate on reports of the strange odour and its environmental health implications in the state reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring environmental safety, noting that several proactive measures had already been initiated to combat the offensive odour.

According to her, the government has intensified sanitary inspections, carried out fumigation exercises, engaged relevant stakeholders and commenced the arrest and prosecution of offenders linked to environmental pollution.

She called on residents, community leaders, religious organisations and non-governmental organisations to support government efforts by promoting proper sanitation and reporting activities capable of causing environmental pollution.

The commissioner warned that anyone found violating environmental health laws would face the full weight of the law.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Sunday Omoya, said the meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to identify and address the source of the odour reportedly perceived in some parts of the state capital.

Omoya said the ministry had continued to collaborate with relevant stakeholders while strengthening interventions aimed at restoring a healthy environment across affected areas.

Officials of the State Ministry of Health and Human Services, who gave updates on the situation, disclosed that different forms of offensive odour had been reported from several locations within and outside Ado-Ekiti.

The Director of Public Health, Dr Abayomi Ibrahim, said the odour was said to be mostly perceived during late-night and early morning hours, particularly in elevated areas, before fading as the day progressed.

He added that some residents had reportedly experienced symptoms such as headaches and nausea due to the pungent smell.

Stakeholders at the meeting stressed the need for broader investigations beyond waste management activities, noting that manufacturing operations, chemical processing, mining activities and improper waste disposal into waterways could also contribute to the problem.

Representatives of security agencies, including the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), pledged continued support for enforcement efforts and called for stronger environmental laws, increased inspections and sustained public enlightenment campaigns.

The General Manager of the State Waste Management Authority ,Mr Olasunkanmi Onipede said officials had carried out inspections at dump sites, Dino bin locations and operational areas of waste management partners, noting that none had so far been identified as the direct source of the odour.

He added that fumigation activities had already been conducted, while further preventive measures were ongoing.

Other stakeholders from the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), State Waste Management Authority, Ekiti State University and the Ministry of Information advocated improved data gathering, inter-agency collaboration and closer monitoring of border communities to identify the exact source of the odour and prevent future occurrences.

In her closing remarks, Aluko-Ajisafe appreciated participants for their contributions and assured residents that government would sustain ongoing interventions, including early morning monitoring operations.

She added that the government would ensure registration and proper regulation of activities capable of constituting environmental nuisance, as well as commence plans for land allocation for proper sewage management.

The commissioner urged members of the public to report cases of environmental pollution or offensive odour through the ministry’s toll-free line, 08000606606, or alternative numbers 08111114622, 08111114633 and 08111114644.