Governor Seyi Makinde led administration and Stakeholders in Oyo State on Thursday agreed to sanction anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately within the State, as well set up Environmental Tribunals to try offenders in earnest.
This was contained in a communique after an Environmental Advocacy Meeting with Stakeholders organised by Oyo State Government at the House Of Chiefs, Ibadan.
Speaking at the meeting, the Head of Service, Mrs. Ololade Agboola who represented the governor urged citizens to shun the unfounded rumours that the governor has directed that refuse collection by waste collectors is free.
She added that 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.
She further appealed 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” she added
Mrs. Agboola further reiterated that Tribunals and mobile courts would henceforth be operational, to sanction anyone caught dumping refuse indiscriminately.
Similarly the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Olusoji Oguntola stated that Stakeholders affected include the Market Men and Women, Transport Workers, Poultry farmers, Pig farmers, Artisans and other stakeholders found to be critical in terms of cleaningness of the environment
He added further that, the present administration has objected to the filthy environment and seeks for cooperation of every resident to support the initiative of Oyo State in achieving a clean and healthy environment
” the Government has put in place various policies and programmes, most especially the appointment of refuse collectors for both commercial, industrial and domestic 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.
