By Jumoke Adeogun, Abeokuta
The Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Hon Sherif Musa, aka 'SAM 20', has started advocated enabling law aimed at checking indiscriminate dumping of refuse and other environmental law violation in the society.
He dropped the hints in Ota while leading both the executive and legislative arms of the council to an environmental training aimed at ending climate change.
"Let's make enough law to make us behave. We already knew that in nature if there is no law people will do anything they like, not minding the adverse effects of their action on the society.
"There is need to moderate, regulate, put law enforcement mechanism on ground and even build prisons in the society because some people will still want to run foul of the law. They should be made to conform to the law.
"It is written in the holy books that you reap whatever you sow. If you do good you will get good, do bad, you will also get bad. It is high time we knew that dumping of refuse affects not only government but also people in the area.
"We should not allow erosion to send us packing from our homes. People who feel lackadaisical to abiding by environmental law should be taught a good lesson", he said.
Other stakeholders prominent in the PROGRAMME, aimed at arresting climate change include, the leader and deputy leader of the 8th legislative arm, Hon Bukola Balogun, AFED Chairman/Board of Trustees, Bolaji Oyedeko, AFED Executive Director, Sola Afariogun, Christian, Islamic leaders, community, youth leaders, health officers, as well as men of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
The programme organised by African Foundation for Environment and Development, AFED, and funded by CIVICUS also hosted world renowned environmentalists such as Director of Health, Godwin Olubunmi Omoroga and National President United Nation Environment Program Ecosystem, UNEP. EBAFOSA, James Oyesola, who is also Director in Tree Crops, as resource fellows.
Earlier in his welcome address, Afariogun said the programme on climate change was specifically organized to check increasing violation of existing environmental law in Ado-Ota/Ota.
He warned that the council is now on the world map, warning that people of the council are being watched all over the world.
"They call us from all over the world. So we should be careful on how we behave and what we do. Let's legislate enabling law, remove the outdated ones and add the necessary ones to conform to the reality of the modern days.
"We are having training and Advocacy training. There is an existing law prohibiting dumping of refuse indiscriminately. Local Government is collaborating with us. We have people from Nigerian Bar Association, NBA who can help us modernize the law that will speak on the reality on ground.
"We will examine the law and see what to add or remove. The legislatives will take these to the chamber and deliberate on it. We too will have a small committee to deliberate on it", he said.
Condemning poor road network, Oyedeko said lack of drainage is major factor contributing to bad roads, leading to flooding at homes.
A community leader, Alhaji Taofeek from Agbara, spoke on proper designing of buildings and their locations. According to him, many buildings that are located on the path of erosion is an invitation to their destruction because water would find its way.
The training continued after the opening ceremony.
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