𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐀𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to confront environmental degradation and restore environmental order across the state, declaring that stronger action would be taken to curb unsanitary practices and ecological abuse.

The governor made this known on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Commissioner for Environment, Ademola Aderinto, held at the Executive Chamber, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Makinde said the worsening state of the environment, driven by indiscriminate waste disposal, poor sanitation habits and weak environmental culture, required deliberate and sustained government intervention. He stressed the need to revive and strengthen environmental responsibility across communities in the state to guarantee a healthier and more livable environment for residents.

He charged the new commissioner to approach his assignment with firmness and accountability, noting that environmental degradation posed serious public health and safety risks.

Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office, Commissioner Ademola Aderinto declared his readiness to confront environmental challenges head-on, assuring residents that the Ministry of Environment would no longer tolerate actions that degrade the environment.

Aderinto, who previously served as Special Assistant on Environment to the governor, thanked Makinde for the confidence reposed in him and pledged total commitment to reversing environmental decline in the state.

Describing environmental degradation, indiscriminate waste dumping and poor sanitation practices as major threats to sustainable development, the commissioner said his ministry’s “axe is now sharpened” to deal decisively with environmental infractions.

He stated that the government would pursue an aggressive enforcement drive against environmental abuse, with strict application of existing environmental laws and policies.

According to him, the ministry will intensify monitoring, sanitation exercises, public sensitisation campaigns and collaboration with relevant agencies and community stakeholders to address environmental degradation across both urban and rural areas.

Aderinto warned that compliance with environmental regulations would no longer be optional, adding that offenders would face appropriate sanctions.

He further assured that the ministry would prioritise sustainable and long-term solutions to environmental challenges, with the goal of positioning Oyo State among the cleanest and healthiest states in Nigeria.