The Ekiti State Government has called for calm following residents’ complaints of offensive odour in parts of Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

The State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, assured residents of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring their safety and well-being.

Olatunbosun said in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Sunday that “the state government has continued coordinated investigations, inspections and surveillance across locations where reports of an obnoxious odour have been received, as part of efforts to address any environmental nuisance associated with the situation.”

The commissioner stated that following reports from residents, the state government began coordinated investigative activities across affected locations, while engaging relevant institutions and experts to review the situation, share information and determine practical measures for tracing the source of the odour.

He assured residents that the government would continue its coordinated investigation and take all necessary measures to address any environmental or public health concerns in the state.

Olatunbosun said, “The surveillance and inspection exercises have so far identified activities capable of contributing to environmental nuisance and foul odours, including indiscriminate sewage disposal, poor waste management practices and the discharge of decomposed materials into public channels.

“Appropriate enforcement measures have been taken against identified offenders, including prosecution, sealing of affected premises, clearing of environmental nuisances and fumigation of affected areas, in order to curtail activities capable of generating or worsening the odour.”

The commissioner said the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources had also undertaken air and gas analysis as part of the ongoing efforts to obtain scientific information that could assist in identifying the nature and possible source of the reported odour.

He assured residents that “the situation is being closely monitored. The state government is working with relevant agencies and experts to ensure that the matter is properly investigated and appropriate measures taken to normalize the situation.”

Olatunbosun urged residents to remain calm and avoid speculation or the circulation of unverified information, stressing that such actions could cause unnecessary panic and undue escalation of the situation.

He appealed to residents who might have useful information to promptly contact the appropriate authorities, particularly the state Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, through the dedicated telephone number 08145571085.

The commissioner reiterated the Biodun Oyebanji-led administration’s commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring a clean, safe and healthy environment for all residents of Ekiti State.