Oyo State Government on Tuesday promised to put in place measures to stop open defecation in the State, by providing mobile toilets and water in rural communities in the State.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, stated this when addressing newsmen in his office on Tuesday.
Hon. Ayoola said the State Government was taking proactive steps to stop open defecation in the State through the State’s Rural Water and Sanitation Programme.
Ayoola also promised to take seriously, the business of recycling in the State, saying the step would increase its waste to wealth potentials.
He appealed to residents of the State to cooperate with Government, as the transition to a new waste management era would result into community-based waste management in the State.
“We appeal to our people to please co-operate with the Engr. Seyi Makinde led administration. We are transiting into a new waste management era and we would start experiencing community-based waste management system.”
Explaining further, he said “We have mobilized trucks from all the nooks and crannies of the State, and they are gladly helping us out in clearing refuse, till we find a lasting solution to the menace”.
The Commissioner also revealed that the dumpsites in the State are not adequate. Therefore, he said Government has started rehabilitating the dumpsites, while plans are in top gear to create sanitary land-fills.
Ayoola also disclosed that the State Government through his Ministry has identified prospective transfer loading stations, which would help the waste to wealth initiative of the State Government.
World Toilet Day is an official United Nations International observance day, commemorated every November 19, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.