Ondo steps up surveillance as offensive odour returns in Akure

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Government has intensified surveillance across Akure following the recurrence of an offensive odour in parts of the state capital, deploying advanced monitoring equipment to identify its source.

The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Tob Loko, Ph.D., on Saturday, following renewed complaints from residents in affected areas.

Loko said the complaints prompted the government to immediately strengthen its monitoring operations on the directive of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, with additional monitoring and safety devices deployed across the affected locations.

According to him, Akure is now under active surveillance, while technical personnel have been deployed to various locations to investigate the cause of the odour and gather relevant information.

He urged residents to cooperate with the officials conducting the exercise, particularly by providing information that could help authorities identify unusual or suspicious activities that may be linked to the development.

The commissioner assured residents that the government was intensifying efforts to determine the source of the odour and address the environmental concern, while appreciating their cooperation and understanding.

Loko further reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that residents live in a clean, safe and sustainable environment.

“Together, we will get to the root of this problem, establish the facts and take decisive action,” Loko said.