Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has warned the residents, corporate organisations and other environmental stakeholders in the state that the collection of refuse by approved waste collectors and managers is not free of charge in the state.
The Governor said the clarification became imperative following rumours and speculation from some stakeholders in the state that he had directed that the service should be rendered at no cost by the refuse collectors and waste managers.
This is as he also disclosed that all the environmental stakeholders are on the same page with the government to sanction anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately within the state, with the assurance that Environmental Tribunals will be set up in earnest.
Makinde spoke through the state Head of Service, Mrs Amidat Agboola during an Environmental Advocacy Meeting with stakeholders, which held at the House of Chiefs, Oyo state Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Agboola said “it is the civic responsibility of every citizen in the state to take conscious effort in making the environment clean and safe, and as such, every resident should make provision for waste disposal drums within their domain.”
“We appeal to residents to patronize authorized refuse collectors and pay them for the services they render.
“Politics should not be introduced into the management of waste disposal, hence there should be no dumping of refuse on the road median and other unauthorized places.
“Tribunals and mobile courts would henceforth be operational, to sanction anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately.”
Earlier in his remarks at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Olusoji Oguntola stated that the stakeholders including market men and women, transport workers, poultry farmers, pig farmers, artisans and other stakeholders found to be critical in terms of cleanliness of the environment.
He added that the present administration has zero tolerance for filthy environment and seeks the cooperation of every resident to support the initiative of the government in achieving a clean and healthy environment.
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In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju emphasized the state government’s zero tolerance on illegal waste disposal, saying the government would be enforcing environmental laws to sanction offenders.
Responding on behalf of the stakeholders, the President, Oyo State Council of Marķet men and Women Leaders, Alhaja Amudat Iyadunni Lawal appreciated the efforts of Oyo State Government in ensuring a safe environment for all and sundry, suggesting that more environmental officers be employed to carry out the task at hand.
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