The menace of indiscriminate dumping of refuse on major roads and drainages in Edo State constitutes health hazard, the state House of Assembly expressed concern on Monday.

The Deputy Speaker, Maria Oligbi-Edeko who raised a motion under matter of public importance, worried that the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roads and drains constituted health hazard.

The motion, co-sponsored by 10 other lawmakers, Oligbi-Edeko said that the waste was emitting offensive odour, constituting eyesores and reducing the aesthetic value of towns and cities in the state.

READ ALSO: Tragedy Struck In Edo As Trees Fall, Kill Four Injure Many

She noted, “The dumping of refuse and other waste materials was obstructing free flow of flood and causing flooding and gully erosion in the state.

She noted that dumping of refuse on major roads and markets constitutes health hazards especially with the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country.

She, therefore, called on the local government chairmen in the Benin metropolis to build refuse dump sites and set up monitoring teams to prevent the menace especially at night.

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She also called on health officers in the state to carry out sensitisation of the people on the importance of proper waste disposal and keeping the environment clean.

The lawmakers unanimously supported the motion and called for the implementation of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise across the state.

The speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, thereafter directed the clerk of the house, Yahaya Omogbai to forward clean copies of the resolution to relevant authorities for immediate action.

Four big trees fell on Monday at Jattu Market in Etsako West Local Government of Edo State killing four persons and injuring many others in the process.

The trees came down following a storm and prolonged rainfall.

The Chairman of the council, Mr Marvellous Zibiri confirmed the death of the persons while speaking to newsmen at the market.

“At about 9a.m on Monday, I got a call from my Vice Chairman and the Supervisory Councilor for Environment about the incident.

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“During the rain, four trees in the market fell simultaneously while people took cover under the trees thereby killing four persons and many injured.

” So far, we have been able to recover four bodies and we have taken them to the mortuary while those who sustain injuries are at the hospital for treatment,” Zibiri said.

Zibiri added that rescue operation was still ongoing as the trees were being cut to confirm if there were other bodies under the trees.

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The Chairman described the incident as tragic and sympathised with families who lost their love ones at the market.

He, however, appealed to residents to stay indoor whenever it was raining.

Recall that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted thunderstorms and rains from Monday to Wednesday across the country.

The agency urged the public to take adequate precautions as strong winds may precede the rains during the period.

The Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative (ASR Africa) has commenced the construction of a 30 beds capacity ultra modern hospital for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Bauchi state under its security sector support grant.

Speaking during the inauguration of the construction in Bauchi on Monday, the Managing Director ASR initiative for Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, said that the state-of-the-art medical edifice is valued at N500 million with all the equipment to be brought in.

He explained that the partnership between the Nigeria Custom service and ASR Africa was an example of strategic partnership which would be for the benefit of Nigeria moving forward.

Udoh, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of ASR, reiterated the commitment of the Chairman, ASR Africa and the BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, in fulfilling the pledges made to the security agencies across Nigeria.

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According to him, ASR Africa had engaged all the beneficiaries of the security grant and was on track to ensure the implementation of all projects selected by the armed forces and security agencies in the country.

He appreciated the leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service for partnering with ASR Africa on this project.

“It will be recalled that the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu on his visit to the immediate past President of Nigeria in December 2022, announced a grant of N10 billion to the Nigerian armed forces and security agencies.

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“This grant, part of the Security Sector Support grant, is aimed at providing support for security agencies in the country and the armed forces to effectively and efficiently fulfill their mandate to the Nigerian people.

“Other beneficiaries include the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of Secret Services (DSS), Nigeria Police, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Correctional Service,” he said.

Also speaking, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, appreciated ASR and expressed delight to have been the recipient of the project which he said, would enhance the capacity and welfare of the personnel and those of the community they serve.

“We are happy that we have found a reputable partner that has chosen to work with us to deliver a world class 30 beds hospital here in Zone D, Bauchi.

“On behalf of all of us, on behalf of all officers and men, we want to say a very big thank you to ASR initiative for finding us worthy to benefit from the benevolence of the ASR initiative.

“This facility will not only cater for the interest of custom officers and their families, indeed, we are going to dedicate the service of this hospital to all members of the community of Yelwa and Bauchi in general,” he said.