By Steve Ovirih
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mr Omoyele Olabode has charged Ondo State Government to get to the root of the offensive odour that drifts in the air across Akure at night in the past few days,
He noted that the smell is fast turning into an environmental challenge that needs to be timely addressed to avoid both ecological and environmental issue in the capital city of The Sunshine State.
Olabode gave this indication in an exclusive chat with newsmen, reiterating that the toxic smell borders on what has been described as offensive sulphuric and acidic odour.
He said this offensive smell tends to flow more at night, adding that for now no one can ascertain the cause of this odour and the damaging impact it has already effected on the people of Akure township.
“The development as regards the offensive odour that drifts through Akure has become a cause for concern. In my line of business as a Real Estate tycoon and Property Developer of repute in Nigeria,
“I am particularly disturbed that a hazardous smell has continue to inconvenience the people of Akure and more disturbing is the fact that the smell oozes more at night when people have gone to sleep, inhaling this dangerous odour while in their sleep.
“This is an obvious case of environmental pollution against free citizens of the state and it must not be held with levity as no one can tell yet what havoc this unrestrained smell has caused the people,” Olabode said.
He appealed to the Ministry of Environment to act swiftly and get to nip in the bud this sad development because whatever person or persons who is behind this smell have engaged environmental sabotage and such person must be brought to book.
“If the arms of the law of the state is not stretched to catch those behind this attempt to degrade the environmental situation of Akure, they will take it for granted that they can continue to damage the space and air of the town with reckless abandon,” Olabode warned.
As at the time of filing this report, preliminary investigation has been put in place by the Ministry of Environment under the flagship of Hon.Dr.Tob Loco and the result of the investigation has established that the offensive odour is linked to the illegal discharge of untreated effluent and hazardous waste into a major stream flowing in the Akure metropolis.