The Oyo state government has warned residents of the state against dumping of refuse on road medians.

Commissioner for environment and natural resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, gave the warning on Tuesday during the routine environmental and refuse evacuation exercise on some major roads in the metropolis.

Mr Mogbonjubola, who said that government was poised at ensuring a clean environment across the state, warned that anyone caught in the act would be punished according to the extant laws.

According to him, road medians which have been ignorantly misconstrued for dumpsite, are purposely constructed for the safety of pedestrians to cross roads.

“These road medians are to give way to smoother traffic flow, to reduce risks of head-on collisions, also to enhance aesthetics and pleasant view of the road and environment at large.

“But very unfortunate that some residents have turned these medians to where they can dump refuse; henceforth, erring residents caught would be prosecuted,” he warned.

He urged residents to collaborate with government at achieving the noble feat, through environmental law compliance.

The commissioner also ordered people trading on road walkways and roads to vacate immediately, saying the present administration in the state would no longer tolerate lawlessness.

Mr Mogbonjubola further said that all shanties, illegal structures and shops attached to public school buildings would be removed at the expiration of the deadline already issued to the owners.

He reiterated the commitment of the state government towards making all the state public schools conducive to learning.

He emphasised that the state government would not hesitate to enforce sanctions on individuals, corporate bodies and groups committing environmental infractions, irrespective of how highly placed.

He disclosed that the inspection and refuse evacuation would be carried out in all the zones of the state.

Among roads inspected by the commissioner, staff of the ministry and relevant agencies are Mokola to Dugbe; Ring Road – Challenge area; Mokola to Sango and U.I. to Ojoo roads.

(NAN)