Ondo govt warns residents against indiscriminate dumping in ocean
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission has cautioned residents of coastal communities against polluting the ocean with chemicals and ritual objects, warning that such practices could pose serious environmental and health risks.
The Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Biyi Poroye, gave the warning on Monday in Ugbonla, Ilaje Local Government Area, during a tree-planting exercise and shoreline clean-up organised to mark this year’s World Ocean Day.
Poroye said the commission, in collaboration with the Ondo State Ministry of Environment, had commenced a month-long climate resilience programme aimed at addressing the growing threats of sea incursion, coastal erosion and flooding affecting riverine communities.
According to him, the activities include shoreline clean-up campaigns, tree planting and public sensitisation programmes designed to promote environmental sustainability and protect vulnerable coastal settlements.
“Our people should avoid contaminating the ocean in their efforts to tackle sea surges and coastal erosion. The use of chemicals can have far-reaching consequences and create health challenges beyond our communities,” he said.
He also urged residents to embrace scientific and environmentally friendly solutions to climate-related challenges, stressing that ritual practices would not provide lasting answers to the effects of climate change.
The OSOPADEC chairman also appealed to development partners and the international community to support ongoing efforts by the commission and the state government to safeguard oil-producing coastal communities from environmental threats.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Tomi Loko, called on community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders to collaborate with government in building resilience against climate change. He urged residents to adopt proper waste disposal practices, participate in environmental sanitation and support tree-planting initiatives, while the state’s Goodwill Ambassador for Environment, Olapeju Olayemi, called for global support to address the challenge of ocean surges.
