The Chairman, Oyo State Environmental Taskforce, ACP Ojomo Francis, has put out a note of warning to those fond of attacking environmental task force officers to desist, as he made known that the agency would henceforth arrest and prosecute those found culpable.
Emphasizing on the duties of the officers on environmental sanitation enforcement, to safeguard the environment for the benefit of all, he said they are backed by the law of the state.
He reiterated the unfortunate incident involving about four officers of Oyo State Environmental Task Force on Thursday, 17th September, as they were attacked and critically injured in Ibadan while they were on the weekly sanitation enforcement duty.
He said the officers were recuperating after being taken care of at an undisclosed medical facility in Ibadan, praising the State government for coming to the aid of the affected officers.
According to him: “We all know that to change a habit is always arduous, but the leadership of the Oyo State government, headed by Engr. Seyi Makinde has made it clear that continuous sensitization and stakeholders’ engagement will naturally change the attitude of those that would want to persist in dumping refuse indiscriminately.
“The officers attacked last Thursday were doing statutory jobs assigned them by the government through this agency, we thank God they are fast recuperating but we want to sound this note of warning that whoever attacks environmental sanitation enforcement officers again will not find it funny, they will be arrested and prosecuted.
“It is our job to make Ibadan and Oyo State clean, we will not shirk this responsibility, we will not hold back, we will not be intimidated.”
On the other hand, ACP Ojomo described street trading as an act borne out of ignorance rather than poverty saying the consequence of the act outweighed the gains, as many have died from vehicular accidents due to loss of control of vehicles by the drivers.
He thereby called on the people of Oyo State to cooperate with the government in ridding the State of filth and promote good living by maintaining a clean environment.
