The Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency (EKSEPA) has warned residents of Oye-Ekiti to desist from burning and dumping refuse in drains and waterways.

The agency’s chairman, Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, issued the warning in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Oye-Ekiti.

Mr Oguntoyinbo explained that refuse dumped in drains often leads to blocked waterways, which in turn causes flooding during the rainy season.

According to him, blocked waterways create serious problems and result in huge financial costs for both the community and the government.

He disclosed that the state government spent millions of naira on dredging waterways during the 2025 rainy season to curb flooding in various communities and towns across the state.

The EKSEPA boss advised shop owners, landlords, and caretakers to ensure that refuse from their premises is disposed of at designated dump sites.

He also urged clinics and hospitals to properly dispose of medical waste to prevent environmental and health hazards.

Mr Oguntoyinbo stressed that dumping refuse in waterways is a bad habit that can cause flooding and negatively affect other residents during the rainy season.

He warned that anyone caught dumping refuse in drains or waterways would be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

(NAN)