Channelisation has eaten deep into Osun resources – Commissioner

 

Professor Bukola Oyawoye is the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation in Osun State. She is a teacher married to a teacher, and though her parents wanted her to be a Customs Officer, she believes God’s design for her is what she has become today.  She is an environmentalist with specialisation in Microbiology. The Professor-turned-politician recently held an interactive session with journalists where she fielded questions on areas of her assignment. MICHAEL OLANREWAJU was there. Excerpts:

How did you emerge as Commissioner?
Thank you. It is the work of God. I have not being in politics before now.  I was all along in the classroom lecturing at Suleja and Zaria. I lectured most especially in the northern part. I can only say that in my primary and secondary school days, I was the head girl. So, the present position of mine is not my making but all glory and honour to the Almighty, the Alpha and
Omega. Also, there is a reason to thank God for everything in life as things don’t just happen suddenly.  This means that my Governor, Mr.Rauf Aregbesola knows why he appointed me as one of his commissioners in the state. That is why I am using this medium to appreciate Mr.Governor once again for the honour bestowed on me.

As Commissioner for Environment, can you tell us how much the Osun State Government has expended on the channelization work?
Let me start by saying the channelization work embarked upon by our administration is a way of evacuating waste materials from the streams in order to pave the way for water to flow freely. Also, one of the six point integral action plans of Mr. Governor is to provide healthy living for the people of the state as cleanliness is next to Godliness. We all know the bad incident that occurred before the emergence of our administration sometimes around July 7, 2010 in the state when flood claimed many lives and destroyed many properties worth
million of Naira. In order to avert such an incident, Mr. Governor’s first assignment was declaration of 90 days zero tolerance to unhealthy living which called for dredging of the streams across the state. It is difficult to say exactly how much has been spent by the government on channelization as a lot of money has been spent in order to have a conducive and enabling environment in the state.

What is government doing on Osogbo-Ilesa road dump site that is prone to epidemic?
You know Ilesa is developing everyday and in some developed areas, looking for a dump site may be a challenge. Also, all the local governments in the state have been directed to provide at least one dump site in their various headquarters. Even the central dumpsite belonging to the state government is at Onibueja area in Egbedore Local Government area of the state. Apart from that, government has also provided 32 trucks with another 35 smaller one that will be evacuating refuse in every community in the state at affordable charges in order to have good healthy living among the people.

We perceive that you and your Special Adviser are not in good term, what went wrong?
There is nothing of such. Both of us are working for the development of the state. So, no rancour, no fighting and we are one and I as the Commissioner of the Ministry, don’t have any regret working with Aare Bola Ilori, my SA.

What are the challenges you faced in your assignment?
Thank you for the question. In every University, one will embark on research, followed by field work.  In essence, I am used to field work and am enjoying it in all ramifications. Also, the present assignment that am doing is not affecting my home as I have a very understandable, loving, caring and God-fearing husband.

Are you into politics?
I have not being into politics in my life. The only thing I can say is that, I was the head girl in both my primary and secondary schools day. I have been in teaching profession some years back in Suleja and Zaria and in some parts of the north. I thank Mr. Governor who invited me to make my contribution to the development of the state.

What would you say is the achievement of your ministry?
The achievements are numerous to mention.  If I start enumerating them one after the other, it will occupy all the pages of your newspaper.  However, I will just tell you few .The first is the 90 day declaration of zero tolerance on unhealthy living by the people of the state. Also, the weekly environmental sanitation is there. Beautification of the environment and tree planting is also a welcome programme by the general public. Coming from Asejire to Osogbo highway, people can see the beautification and some trees planted along the road. We are
also demonstrating that this tree planting in secondary schools in the state are about 150. There is 150 hectares while about 500 hectares are already going on in the forest reserve area of the state. Also, Mr. Governor is taking care of the six major forestry reserves across the state in order to have trees in abundance. The tree planting exercise is also extended to churches and mosques as well as markets in the state. We are now appealing to every individual to plant just a tree in their environment as it is good for every living thing.

Do you foresee women leading the country in the near future?
Of course yes. It is not a matter of competing. I am talking of women empowerment. One day, we would get there and we are about getting there. I only want to enjoin my fellow-women to wake up now and join politics. I thank my able governor for allowing women to partake in his cabinet.

How would you access Mr. Governor as a leader?
Mr. Rauf Aregbesola is a God-sent man to liberate people of the state. He is a God- fearing man. He is the people’s governor working for the goodness and betterment of the people. He has turned the state to a small London.  Development has enveloped the whole place in  the state and that is why people should re-elect him come 2014. He will be able to conclude the good work.

What is your charge to women?
Women should not be rude to their husbands. They must honour their husbands as they honour God. Every woman must love their children and her home as her job must not affect their home. Women must also be hard-working and be prayerful and above all let every woman join politics. Generally, people should stop dumping refuse into the streams and as we are moving into dry season, hunters and farmers should desist from burning bush unnecessary in order to prevent fire disaster as heaven helps those who help themselves.