Residents of Akowo, Asunle and other communities along Awotan-Akufo now have a sigh of relief as The Oyo state government has embarked on total rehabilitation of Awotan dumpsites which is one of the major challenges confronting them
The dumpsite, located on 25 hectares of land, was established in 1998 and since its inception no serious measure was put in place to reduce the havoc in term of epidemic and other environmental disasters it has been causing to living things around the area.
For over 20 years, residents of the area cannot open dig well nor drink from the well sunk in their area, it is easy to be infected by disease like cholera and malaria as the sites is a natural breeding home for flies and mosquitoes.
The refuse contractors and truck drivers worsened the case as they usually dumped refuse by the road side bringing environmental hazards closer to the residents.
When the residents could no long bear the brunt they called for relocation of the dumpsites and immediate repair of the road leading to the community.
Efforts by the residents to secure government intervention on the site proved abortive for several years, until the governor of the state, Engineer Seyi, sent the late Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola to the site, few months after taking over the mantle of leadership.
Ayoola said Engineer Makinde led administration would not ignore their demands but take a necessary steps required of it to make the place conducive and hygienic for them
In April Governor Seyi Makinde approved the rehabilitation of two dumpsites in the State, at Ajakanga and Awotan dumpsites. The rehabilitation process has started at Awotan dumpsite.
The Governor also approved the reconstruction of deplorable Apete –Akufo road, which was part of the demands of the residents .
The Managing Director, Macpresse West Africa Ltd, Mr. Idowu Salawu, said the company’s mandate is to upgrade, rehabilitate and reclaim dumpsites in the State.
He added that Macpresse West Africa Limited would expand the efficiency of the solid waste in the State according to international best practices for Oyo State.
While he reassuring the residents of Araro, Akufo and Awotan of government’s magnanimity not to demolish any building, Salawu also called for collective responsibility of the residents in having a smooth upscale in the waste collection operations at the Awotan dumpsite.
Salawu also promised indigenous participation at the dumpsite, by providing employment opportunities for residents, adding that his company would support indigenous workers and ensure it decongests the dumpsite in a short while.
A visit to the site on Monday reveals that the contractor have made serious strides on the projects which started on first May 2020 and residents are already enjoying a better life  as the refuse have been pushed back and some covered with sand to prevent odour
Also about 6 access road have been constructed with two main road, Perimeter fencing of the whole site have been completed, A weight bridge have also been put in place while work is going on the recycling plants on the site
Mr Idowu Salawu told National Insight that by the time the projects is completed, the residents will no longer feel the odour as they are putting in place measure to cover the refuse immediately they are disposed
Some of the residents who spoke with our reporter commended Gov Makinde for rehabilitation and prayed for his success in office
“We have lost hope on this project, past administration do send their representatives but Seyi Makinde send his commissioner first and later he came and few weeks after he visited the site work started, today we are grateful to God and to him because we are having a sigh of relief and the contractor told us that the odour will no longer be there by the time the projects is completed” Says Atanda Ademuyiwa a resident
Another residents Mrs Ruth Alabi a trader told while appreciating Governor Makinde said the government of Makinde has fulfilled his promise, we thank him, we want him to hasten ongoing Apete-Akufo road
