The Oyo State government on Saturday sealed up some houses and shops in the Academy area of Ibadan over alleged unhygienic practices.

The buildings were shut down during the sensitisation and enforcement campaign to commemorate the 2022 World Clean-up Day.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abiodun Oni, said owners/occupiers of the sealed structures violated environmental laws and failed to comply with hygienic practices.

The commissioner, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Environment, Ademola Aderinto, said the exercise was done to ensure compliance with environmental hygiene and prevent a possible outbreak of any form of disease.

He said the affected owners/occupiers of the buildings were responsible for heaps of refuse dumped in the area, close to Academy Market and along the main roads.

Mr Oni also observed that the erring occupiers/owners did not have adequate waste bins to keep their wastes.

He pointed out that environmental health officers had earlier visited the affected buildings to admonish the owners to do the needful, but they failed to do so.

The exercise was also used to sensitise and educate market women on how a waste-free environment can foster better customer interactions and increase sales.

The commissioner appealed to residents to key into the Government’s environmental blueprint.

Commenting on the campaign, the chief sustainability officer, Mottainai Recycling Ltd, Deborah Fadeyi, explained that the initiative was borne out of the need “to ensure Oyo State is clean”.

(NAN)