Oyo Govt Warns Against Indiscriminate Dumping of Refuse, Establishes Sanitation Tribunals
Olusakin Babalola, Ibadan
Oyo State Government has said it would sanction anybody regardless of his/her caught dumping refuse indiscriminately within the State, stressing that, sanitation tribunals will also be set up to effect the sanctions accordingly.
This information was contained in a communiqué issued after an Environmental Advocacy Meeting with Stakeholders organised by Oyo State Government at the House of Chiefs, Ibadan recently.
Speaking at the meeting, the Head of Service, Mrs Ololade Agboola urged citizens to shun the rumour flying around that Governor Seyi Makinde has directed that refuse collection by waste collectors is free.
While describing it as unfounded and baseless, Mrs Agboola informed that it is the civic responsibility of every citizen in the State to take conscious effort to making the environment clean and safe.
She further advised every resident to make provision for waste disposal drums within their domain and patronize authorized refuse collectors and pay them for the services rendered.
She said, “Politics should not be introduced into the management of waste collection and disposal, hence there should be no dumping of refuse on the road median and other unauthorized places.”
Mrs Agboola reiterated that mobile courts would henceforth be operational to sanction anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately across the state.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Olusoji Oguntola stated that affected stakeholders include the market men and women, transport workers, poultry farmers, pig farmers and other artisans found to be critical in terms of cleanliness of the environment
He added, the present administration has objected to filthy environment and seeks for cooperation of every resident to support the initiative of Oyo State in achieving a cleaner and healthier environment
“The Government has put in place various policies and programmes, most especially the appointment of refuse collectors for commercial, industrial and domestic waste generators by way of promoting clean and safe environment” he added
In his words, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information Culture and Tourism, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju emphasized the State Government’s zero tolerance on illegal waste disposal. To this end, the Government would be enforcing environmental laws to sanction offenders.
” the Governor has graciously approved setting up of enviromental tribunals to punish offenders, but firstly there is need to mobilize the citizens on the dangers involved in unsanitary environment” he said
In her remarks, the President, Oyo State Council of Marķet men and Women Leaders, Alh. Amudat Iyadunni Lawal appreciated the efforts of Oyo State Government in ensuring a safe environment for all and sundry.
She also suggested that more Environmental officers be employed to carry out the task at hand.
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