Smoke from Ekiti dumpsite sends 9 people to hospital

By Yinusa Ishola

No fewer than nine residents of Ilokun Government Reservation Area in Ado Ekiti have been hospitalised after inhaling thick smoke emanating from a dumpsite in the area.

Among the victims were children.They were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Heavy smoke generated from burning of the dumpsite was said to have enveloped the whole community few minutes after it was set ablaze.

Meanwhile, some members of the community have called for its relocation.

Confirming the incident, Mrs Olayinka Ajayi, the Treasurer, Landlord Association in the community, told newsmen that she was one of the victims.

Ajayi claimed she was rushed to the hospital, adding that she was restored to life with inhaler when she could not breathe properly after inhaling the smoke.

She said the best option was to relocate the dumpsite from the community.

According to her, it has subjected residents of the community to various health hazards.

In his reactions, Mr Bayo Keleku, the Sole Administration, Ekiti State Waste Management Authority, said that the state government was trying its best to manage the dump site in a way that it won’t pose threat to health of residents.

Keleku said the site was not set ablaze by workers of the agency as being speculated.