TRACE, Police, others agencies to go tough on illegal dropping of refuse in Ogun

by: Oladele Damilola Moses

from left CDR Ajibade, Director WES, DTO

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Traffic Department of Sango Police Command and Ado-Odo/Ota Environmental and Health Department have pledged zero tolerance for illegal dropping of refuse especially on highways.

The agencies urged market and community leaders to warn their members and other residents to desists from dumping refuse on the highway so as to avoid arrests, embarrassment and detention.

The agencies made this plea at the joint operational visit to some part of Ota/Idiroko highway causing gridlocks within the jurisdiction.

Speaking at the event, the TRACE Area 4 Commander, Adekunle Ajibade said the refuse are hindering the free-flow of traffic and the Corps' would not  longer tolerate indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the road, he urged the residents to ensure all refuse are well disposed so that it will not spread on the road. .

According to him, the refuse had been blocking at least 70 per cent of the road, saying this will no longer be acceptable by the state government

He said henceforth, the residents will be responsible for the accrued refuse dump on the road.

He appealed to commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators to be traffic law abiding and cautiousness of other road users during operational.

According to Ajibade no government would allow lawlessness in the society, especially on roads used by thousands of people.
“Riding okada or driving Marwa does not make you live above the law of the society. You cannot just park your okada on obstruction, you know this is an international road that links Nigeria with the Republic of Benin. So, expect repercussion of your action when you flout traffic rule and end is prosecution, Ajibade cautioned.

The Ota Local Government Director of Health, Tajudeen Salami said the council had started removing the accumulated heaps of refuse and efforts have not been noticeable because of the large quantities of refuse generated during the holidays. He also corroborated Area Commander Ajibade that henceforth anybody caught dropping refuse on the road will be severely dealt with