Oluwatobi Adu 
OYE-EKITI, Nigeria – The Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency (EKSEPA) has issued a strong caution to Oye-Ekiti inhabitants against the improper handling of garbage, particularly by setting it ablaze or tossing it into drainage systems and streams. This initiative aims to prevent recurrent flooding issues that plague the region.
The warning was delivered by EKSEPA Chairman Bamitale Oguntoyinbo during a discussion with media representatives on Sunday in Oye-Ekiti, highlighting the urgency of addressing waste management practices ahead of seasonal challenges.
Oguntoyinbo pointed out that waste accumulation in drainage networks frequently results in obstructed water flow, exacerbating flood risks when heavy rains arrive. He emphasized how such blockages not only disrupt daily life but also impose significant economic burdens on local residents and authorities alike.
The chairman revealed that substantial funds, running into millions of naira, were allocated by the state administration last year for clearing out clogged channels during the 2025 wet period, underscoring the preventable costs associated with poor disposal habits.
To foster better compliance, Oguntoyinbo called on business operators, property owners, and building managers to channel all trash from their locations to officially approved collection points. He further highlighted the need for healthcare facilities to manage biomedical refuse responsibly, avoiding risks to public health and the ecosystem.
Stressing the broader implications, Oguntoyinbo described indiscriminate dumping as a detrimental practice that could trigger widespread inundation, impacting entire neighborhoods. Mr Oguntoyinbo warned that anyone caught dumping refuse in drains or waterways would be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.
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Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah 
Koko Maxwella