Ekiti probes foul odour, sanctions offenders

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ekiti State Government has launched an investigation into reports of offensive odour in parts of Ado Ekiti, assuring residents that measures are being taken to identify and address its source.

The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, disclosed this in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, urging residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information about the situation.

Olatunbosun said government officials had conducted inspections and surveillance in affected areas in collaboration with relevant agencies and experts to determine the cause of the odour.

He said the government had intensified coordinated investigations and monitoring in locations where complaints were received, with the aim of addressing any environmental nuisance linked to the situation.

According to the commissioner, the inspections uncovered activities capable of producing foul odours, including indiscriminate sewage disposal, poor waste management and the dumping of decomposed materials into public drainage channels.

He added that enforcement measures had been taken against some offenders, including prosecution, sealing of premises, removal of environmental nuisances and fumigation of affected areas.

Meanwhile, Olatunbosun said the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources had conducted air and gas tests to obtain scientific data that would help determine the nature and possible source of the odour.

He appealed to residents with useful information to contact the ministry on 08145571085, assuring them that the Biodun Oyebanji administration remained committed to maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment in the state.