From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo/ Ogbomoso Correspondent .

Unless the appropriate authorities urgently address the deplorable state of public health in Oyo town and its environs, an epidemic outbreak is imminent.

Besides the fact that most residential buildings lack toilet facilities, there is no provision for waste disposal, as heaps of
refuse litter everywhere .

As a result, residents defecate into near bushes, streams and uncompleted buildings with stenching odour, accompanied by swarm of house flies.

Some public primary schools in the four local government areas that constitute the metropolis have also been turned into latrines, as residents go there at night to pass out excreta.

On resuming the following day, the teachers and the pupils would not only inhale the stenching odour of the excreta, but be forced to clean the defecated classrooms, and wash the desks and tables before they could be taught in the classrooms.

Investigations conducted by our Correspondent revealed that most public schools in the metropolis do not have have toilet facilities .

Similarly, most residential buildings lack both toilet and refuse facilities.

More worrisome is the unhygienic nature of the vicinity where foods are being sold to the pupils in the metropolis.

The situation is the same at the vicinity of the popular ultra modern Akesan market where some traders, who are not shop occupants in the market , loitering along the roadside to sell their commodities, defecate in nylon bags especially when it is raining .

After closing for the business at night, the faeces in nylon bags are thrown in the road.

The resultant of this unhygienic behaviours is that when vehicles or motorcycles are passing through the road and run into the excreta , the vehicular tyres will splash the waste products from the body on unsuspecting passersby.

What is more, Owode, which is the commercial nerve centre of the metropolis, could not boast of any public toilet, except few private ones that charge between N50 and N100.

Virtually all public toilets constructed by Local Governments several years ago were no longer in use .

Finding further revealed that inadequacy of Environmental Health Workers and lack of effective monitoring system compounded the disturbing public health situation in Oyo town and its environs.

Though the affected local governments are making efforts to ensure clean and healthy environment, but absence of waste disposal system and lack of proper health education seem to be worsening the situation.

Investigations revealed the waste disposal vehicles bought by past administration’s could not serve the purpose they were meant for.

” Though these vehicles are good for the template, as everything about them are computerised.

“But that type of waste disposal vehicles because are heavy trucks, and cannot go through the rural roads.

” They can only go through major streets, a local government health official disclosed after pleaded anonymity.

Rather, he stated that each Local Government should have been allowed by the last administration to buy two hunch back refuse vans, which will be good for the services required.

The weekly environmental sanitation is also not being strictly observed in the metropolis, as most residents flout the mandated hours between 7 and 9 am on Saturday to ensure cleaningness of the environments.

Commenting on the unhygienic situation in the ancient town and its environs,in an Exclusive interview, the Executive Chairman of Oyo West Local Government , Honourable Prince Babatunde Salaam Olukitibi , who spoke on behalf of three other Local Governments Chairmen , said efforts are being put in place to embark on aggressive public health and personal hygiene enlightenments across the nooks and crannies if the four local governments.

He stated that provision of public toilets would form part of their agenda , among other provision of social amenities for the well being of the people .

Hon. Prince Olukitibi advised residents to ” consider disinfecting their water: Boil it for at least one minute. Add half an iodine tablet or two drops of household bleach to each liter of water. Or use chlorine tablets.

” Wash your fruits and vegetables with clean water. Wash your hands with soap and clean water, especially before handling and eating food and after using the bathroom”.

He added that ” if clean water and soap aren’t available, use hand sanitizer made of at least 60% alcohol”.