Residents of Gaa-Imam in Ilorin were given a breath of relief on Tuesday after the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) sealed off a three-storey residential building found to be endangering public health due to extreme sanitation violations.
The building, housing over 30 rooms and located behind Adisco International Works Company, had long been a source of discomfort and concern in the neighborhood. Without proper toilet facilities, occupants reportedly resorted to discharging human waste into nearby compounds, creating foul odors and raising alarm over the risk of disease outbreaks.
Responding to several complaints from affected residents, KWEPA dispatched an enforcement team led by Sanitarian Nusirat Oyewole Temitope, on behalf of the Acting General Manager, Hajia Idayat Folorunsho Adeola. Upon inspection, the agency confirmed the reports and sealed the premises around 12:30 p.m. in line with environmental protection protocols.
“This situation is not just a violation of the law—it’s a direct threat to the health and dignity of the people living nearby,” said Hajia Folorunsho. “No one should be subjected to the risks that come from others’ negligence.”
KWEPA officials warned that such unhygienic living arrangements create breeding grounds for cholera, typhoid, and other sanitation-related diseases. The agency’s intervention aims not only to penalize offenders but also to prevent future health crises in densely populated urban areas.
The incident underscores a broader challenge facing urban communities across Nigeria: the gap in responsible housing management. The agency used the opportunity to call on property owners, caretakers, and tenants to work collectively in ensuring basic sanitary facilities are in place and properly maintained.
As part of its broader environmental health campaign, KWEPA has vowed to intensify inspections and take firm action against violators. “Our mission is not just enforcement—it’s prevention and protection,” Folorunsho stated.
