OFFENSIVE ODOUR: RESIDENTS SUSPECT METH LAB EXISTENCE IN ONDO FORESTS
…Urge Relevant Government Agencies To Deepen Investigations
…Aiyedatiwa Constitutes Committee Of Experts To Intervene
Residents of Akure, especially Alagbaka, Oba-Ile, Ijapo Estate and others have continued to raise alarm over persistent offensive odour being experienced in the state capital.
The sulphuric smell usually occurs by midnight and continues till dawn, causing panic among residents.
Residents stated that though the smell doesn’t occur daily, it is observed about intervals of two or three days.
Many neighbours have had to allege one another of the odour coming out of either compound but all allegations were never correct.
After series of complaints and media reports, the Ondo State Ministry of Environment set up an investigative committee to unravel the cause and this reportedly took the team to various river ala water paths.
The findings of the ministry’s officials could not pinpoint the cause of the odour and sulpuric smell that has continued to endanger the lives of residents.
According to the statement made public after the findings, the odour was not linked to river Ala as earlier suspected.
The ministry later came up with an update that surveillance and other measures would be put in place.
Many residents have however suspected the possibility of existence of a meth lab in the state, suggesting that the smell occurs anytime the production could be taking place.
The residents who reflected on the discovery of meth labs in Oyo and Ogun States feared that similar illegal structures could have been put in place in Ondo State.
They therefore called on the relevant government agencies to rub minds and even involve the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to unravel the cause of the offensive odour.
A landlord who prefers to remain anonymous wondered why it occurs only in the night when all would be asleep.
“Why is it that it happens only in the night? There is the need for all government agencies from environment to health and security to close ranks to bail residents of Akure out of this environmental crisis”, he said.
In a post made public by a former speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Jumoke Akindele, she reflected on her earlier post and called for a strategic approach.
“A while ago, I raised an alarm about a sulphuric odour making its way round Akure metropolis in the middle of the night”.
“Some comments confirmed the report and said it was happening as far away as Ondo City too!”
“Then I saw a report by the State Ministry of Environment that the source of the smell had been traced to a certain place within the Akure metropolis. Even then, I wondered if the same source was “serving” Ondo City too!”
“I must confess that the smell abated for a while, only for it to resurface in the past two weeks particularly in the Oba-Ile axis which I live close too”.
“Calling on the ONDO STATE MINISTRIES OF ENVIRONMENT and HEALTH to rise up to their duties and ensure that this possible looming health hazard is averted”.
“Nobody can tell what the short and long term effects of such a malodorous smell could be on the health of the people but I smell danger”, the former Speaker added.
And on Thursday, the ministry of environment came up with an update that a team of experts have been brought together to address the issue.
According to a statement made public by the commissioner for environment, Dr. Tob Loko, the state governor, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed that all necessary steps be taken to address the issue.
In his words, “I received a team of environmental and analytical chemistry experts as part of the Ondo State Government’s efforts to address the reported odour concern in some parts of the State.”
“This is in line with the directive of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to ensure that every necessary step is taken to address the situation and safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of residents.”
The team comprises:
Prof. Victoria O. E. Akpambang – Analytical and Environmental Chemist;
Chairperson, Chemical Society of Nigeria, Ondo State Chapter.
Prof. Ademola F. Aiyesanmi – Environmental Chemist.
Prof. Afamefuna E. Okoronkwo – Inorganic/Environmental Chemist.
Prof. Wasiu B. Tomori – Environmental/Analytical Chemist.
Prof. Isiaka A. Amoo – Food/Analytical/Environmental Chemist.
“The engagement underscores the State Government’s commitment to applying scientific expertise in addressing the environmental concern and protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our people.”
“I also urge residents to continue to cooperate with the Ministry by promptly reporting any suspicious activity, illegal discharge or other relevant information that may assist the assessment through the designated telephone numbers.”
Residents of Akure and its environs are now expecting an intervention that will make the offensive odour being experienced a thing of the past.
