Ondo Volunteers Storm Akure Streets in Major Waste Clearance Exercise

Members of Ondo State volunteers Corps, working in collaboration with the Ondo State Waste Management Authority (OSWMA), on Saturday stormed major roads in Akure to clear heaps of refuse dumped illegally along road corridors.

The sanitation exercise, which stretched from the Cathedral axis to Oloko Junction, was initiated under the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Volunteer Services, as part of efforts to promote active citizenship and environmental responsibility.

Clad in reflective jackets and protective gear, the volunteers evacuated refuse from notorious illegal dump sites, particularly around the Ade Super area, which has remained a recurring environmental concern.

Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of OSWMA, Mrs Yinka Alabi, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of patriotism and collective responsibility.

“This exercise is about voluntarism. It is about people contributing their own quota to the development of the state. Government cannot do it alone,” Alabi said.

She explained that the exercise was carried out at the instance of the SSA on Volunteer Services, who also facilitated logistics, including funding for the vehicles used during the cleanup.

“We want people to see volunteerism in action, not just hear about it. What we are seeing today are patriotic citizens who love their state and have decided to contribute meaningfully,” she added.

Mrs Alabi noted that all illegal dump sites found along the Cathedral–Oloko axis were targeted during the operation.

“The idea was simple: any illegal dump site found on this axis must be cleared. The work started from the Cathedral and terminated at Oloko Junction,” she said.

Addressing concerns that residents might resume indiscriminate dumping after the cleanup, the OSWMA boss warned that the government would no longer treat offenders lightly.

“We have arrested and fined people in the past, but this time around, there will be no fine. Anyone arrested will be prosecuted and jailed straight away. We hope this will serve as a strong deterrent,” Alabi stated.

‘Indiscriminate Dumping Is Disgusting’ — Volunteer Leader

One of the volunteers, Mr Victor Adedeji, described the attitude of some residents towards waste disposal as “highly disgusting” and unpatriotic.

“No reasonable or patriotic citizen should have the mindset to dump refuse by the roadside. It is very bad and highly inimical to our growth, peaceful coexistence and healthy living,” Adedeji said.

He explained that the volunteers were supporting the agenda of the SSA on Volunteer Services, Mr Iwakun Adeolu, by helping to evacuate refuse dumped along major roads.

“We are not leaders here; we are just volunteers. We are joining hands with the SSA on Volunteer Services to make our environment safer and cleaner,” he said.

Adedeji lamented that despite the existence of a waste management system in the state, many residents still prefer to dump refuse indiscriminately rather than pay a small fee for proper waste collection.

“People prefer dumping waste along the roadside instead of paying professionals to manage it. This is a very bad habit, and it must stop,” he stressed.

He called on residents to embrace patriotism and take collective ownership of environmental cleanliness.

“If we have a cleaner and safer Ondo State, it is because of all of us. Environmental cleanliness is our collective responsibility,” he added.

Adedeji also commended the Ondo State Government for promoting volunteerism, noting that the spirit of voluntary service has grown significantly since the appointment of the SSA on Volunteer Services.

“Since he assumed office, the spirit of voluntarism across the state has been strengthened, and people are beginning to see that there is real value in volunteering,” he said.