The Oyo State Governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi, has read the Riot Act Heads of Local Government Administration and environmental health officers in the state over the mounting refuse in parts of Ibadan, the state capital.

Mr. Ajimobi, who made this known during an unscheduled visit to some parts of the city where refuse had been dumped, stated unequivocally that no one would be allowed to set the state back into the infamous dirty era.

He declared his administration’s readiness to ensure strict enforcement of the state environmental law in order to keep Ibadan and the entire state clean.

Mr. Ajimobi also reminded residents especially traders that street trading remains a sore point in the history of the state and it must be eradicated.

He also expressed displeasure with the delay in the evacuation of refuse on the median strips on some major roads in Ibadan which has led to the re appearance of heaps of refuse.

Specifically, the governor frowned at the failure of Heads of Local Government Administration (HLAs), environmental health officers and the State’s Waste Management Authority to maintain a clean environment.

Gov. Ajimobi added that his administration will not allow anybody to dent his credentials on environmental cleanliness and urban renewal, warning that stiff penalties will be meted out to defaulters.

The governor said it was unfortunate that most of the residents, particularly traders within the state capital, had yet to fully comply with the state environmental laws by refusing to vacate the road sides.

Ajimobi said that residents must contribute to the environmental cleanliness crusade by adopting attitudinal change from indiscriminate refuse dumping and street trading.

Ajimobi also addressed traders at Ojoo Market and solicited their cooperation and support in his administration’s quest at ensuring a clean environment and stoppage of road side trading.

The governor enlightened the traders on the dangers and health hazards inherent in trading by the road sides.