Yuletide: Osun Govt Warns Residents Against Bush Burning

As Christmas and the new year celebration draws closer coupled with the harmattan season, the Osun state government has warned it residents against bush burning.

The Special Adviser to the state Governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola on Environment and Sanitation, Hon Rufus Oyegbile gave the warning while fielding questions from journalists in his office, in Osogbo, on Friday.

He warned artisans and traders to desist from storing fuel in their shops, adding that “leaving the flammable liquid over-night could be a disaster”.

The Special Adviser who reiterated the complete efforts of Governor Oyetola’s led administration in the state towards the sensitisation and enlightenment of all the communities on dangers of indiscriminate or uncontrolled bush burning said government would continue to alert the people on possible fire outbreaks and means of stopping it.

The SA who commended Governor Oyetola for creating a conducive environment for the entire citizens, said “we are looking at the situation where our people no longer fall victims of fire disasters, the act of bush burning during harmattan can pose danger to lives and property.

“I am advising the entire people of Osun State, especially the young ones to be wary of how they set fire on bush to hunt for bush meat.

“Bush burning at this period can destroy lives and property and pose danger to healthy living.

“Do not destroy farmlands because of bush-meat; we are agrarian in nature in this
state”, Hon Oyegbile said.

Hon Oyegbile added that, state government would intensify enlightenment campaigns on hazards associated with the harmattan period across the state.

“When people burn their refuse, they should ensure that they monitor it, so that the fire does not spread to other places to destroy property or farmlands”.

Hon Oyegbile added that, ” with all sense of responsibility, Osun remains one of the cleanest state in Nigeria. The state capital and major cities in the state are kept clean everyday by over 500 sweepers, about 1000parkers, and 60 psp operators.

He also warned residents and those returning for the Christmas and new year celebration to keep their environment clean to prevent diseases and other unpredicted disasters.

He concluded that, “over 31large trucks and 43 small trucks pack over 1000tonnes of waste to our various dump sites daily for effective management”.