By Ajibola Ibrahim
Each morning, as I drive through different parts of our dear state, one sight continues to trouble my mind — heaps of refuse scattered along the medians of our major roads. It’s painful because these same spots were cleared only the previous day by the hardworking environmental teams of government. Yet, by evening or early morning, the same refuse returns, dumped by the same people who live among us.
Sometimes, I stand and watch as government trucks pack these wastes again and again. And I can’t help but ask myself when will we learn?
The essence of government is not to keep parking waste on the median every day. The government has provided refuse bins in different locations and approved private collectors to ensure our environment remains clean. But rather than cooperate, some residents still choose the easy but shameful route by dumping refuse on the road median, even in broad daylight.
What makes it more painful is that many of these offenders know it is wrong. They are not ignorant. Some even admitted that they dump waste on the median because they “don’t want to pay.” What a sad excuse for a habit that endangers public health and damages our collective image as a people.
Government cannot continue to use resources meant for development for roads, schools, and health centers to keep clearing avoidable refuse. The Environmental Task Force has been working tirelessly, arresting offenders every day. The number of arrests keeps increasing, which is not something to be proud of.
As citizens, we must take a step back and reflect. Do we realize that this careless act affects us all? When we dump waste illegally, we block drainages, cause flooding, breed mosquitoes, and create diseases that eventually return to our homes. Cleanliness is not just about beauty; it’s about health, respect, and discipline.
The truth is, government alone cannot keep Oyo State clean. It takes the cooperation and conscience of every citizen. If we all take responsibility for our immediate environment, disposing waste properly, discouraging others from bad habits, and reporting illegal dumpers , our state will become the clean and organized place we all desire.
Let’s embrace a positive change. Let’s choose to be part of the solution, not the problem. A clean environment reflects the kind of people we are , responsible, cultured, and forward-thinking.
Oyo State is our home, and its beauty is in our hands. Let’s work together to keep it clean, safe, and admirable for ourselves and for generations yet unborn.
