Akure, the capital city of Ondo State, is fast earning an unenviable reputation as one of the dirtiest state capitals in Nigeria, despite ongoing efforts by the state government to improve infrastructure and urban aesthetics across Ondo State.
Across major roads, markets, drainage channels, and residential areas in Akure, heaps of uncollected refuse have become a common sight.
Open dumping, clogged gutters, and overflowing waste points now define many neighborhoods, creating an environment that is not only unpleasant, but dangerous to public health.
This situation stands in sharp contrast to the visible strides made by the Ondo State Government under the leadership of the current governor, whose initiatives are aimed at beautifying the state and improving urban development have been widely acknowledged.
While other parts of the state are benefiting from these efforts, Akure the seat of government continues to lag behind in basic sanitation.
Public health experts warn that the current state of cleanliness in Akure could trigger serious health emergencies.
Poor waste management creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, rats, and other disease carrying organisms, increasing the risk of outbreaks such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, and other infectious diseases.
Residents have repeatedly expressed frustration, noting irregular waste collection and inadequate monitoring of sanitation standards.
Many argue that a capital city should set the standard for cleanliness, not serve as a cautionary tale.
This is a clear call for action, as the waste management authorities and relevant agencies in the state are expected to rise to action. There is an urgent need to step up operations, enforce sanitation laws, improve waste collection schedules, and sustain the tempo of continuous education of residents on proper waste disposal.
Environmental health officers must be visible, active, and empowered to do their jobs effectively.
Akure’s current condition, as the state capital is unacceptable. This must stop. A clean city is not a luxury, it is a necessity for public health, dignity, and development.
If Ondo State’s capital is to truly reflect the progress of its leadership and under this current administration, sanitation in Akure must be treated as an emergency and addressed without delay, even in the face of the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the state, which will likely attract visitors and invited guests at home and abroad.
