Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government's 9th Legislative Council Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Environmental Sanitation and Trading Activities Bills

Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government's 9th Legislative Council Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Environmental Sanitation and Trading Activities Bills

By Olatunji Peter

The Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government's 9th Legislative Council recently convened a public hearing with stakeholders to deliberate on two proposed bills aimed at improving environmental sanitation and regulating trading activities within its jurisdiction. The hearing drew various groups, including the police force, transport unions, council of Baales, royal fathers, market leaders, and other concerned stakeholders.

Hon. Gbadamosi Mutairu, ACA, leader of the 9th Legislative Council, commended stakeholders for their turnout and noted that the proposed bills seek to address critical issues affecting the local government. The first bill, sponsored by the executive arm, establishes an Environmental Marshals Unit to monitor and enforce environmental laws and regulations. The second bill, sponsored by Hon. Seidu John, regulates trading activities around roadways and pedestrian paths, requiring traders to obtain permits and prohibiting trading in designated areas.

During the public hearing, stakeholders expressed their views and concerns on the proposed bills. Some Baales emphasized the need for increased government presence and awareness about the bills before implementation, particularly in local areas. The representative of Alagbara highlighted the need for additional amenities, such as garages and public sanitation points.

The Iyaloja General for Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Alhaja Adetoro Adeogun commended the legislative members and requested immediate attention to the market environment, which often experiences flooding during rainfall. She pledged to support the bill, provided the government takes palliative measures to address the issue.

Baale Elejigbo Mekun, Baale Rasheed Adejare, and the Chairman of the Council of Baales, High Chief Ajayi Abila Ibikunle, stressed that young boys are constituting a nuisance at the Oju Ore axis and the government should help in sanitizing the axis. They requested stipends for registered Baales in the local government and asked for work to be done on the menace of the scavengers known as Bola Bola in the local government. The Baales also advised the leader of the legislative council and the Executive Chairman to ensure that operators become familiar with community leaders before they start their operations. Otherwise, if there is a kiosk, they may not reckon with them since they do not know them, especially those who collect revenue for the government.

The police representative from Agbara Area Command, CSP Abayomi suggested reducing the age limit for child trading from 16 to 14 years and stressed the importance of providing necessary amenities before implementing the law. 

Other stakeholders, including Alhaji Yusuf Ijaomode, Deputy State Chairman of ACOMORAN, and HRM Oba Abdulwasiu Ogungbayi, Onitetiku of Owode Ota, called for the government to put back major markets in good standards and provide necessary amenities before enforcing the law and address safety concerns of the people. They also appealed to the government to address the issue of the market U-turn at Ijako, which has become a death trap for motorists.

Hon. Gbadamosi Mutairu assured stakeholders that their feedback would inform further refinement of the proposed bills, which aim to promote a cleaner environment, enhance public health and safety, and improve the overall quality of life for Ado-Odo/Ota residents.