12th May, 2017
Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan
The Oyo State Government on Thursday disclosed that its contracts with all private waste contractors have been terminated with effect from May 5.
The Oyo State Waste Management Authority, OYOWMA, now has the mandate with full responsibility for the collection of wastes in line with its commitment to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.
The government also disclosed that it had commissioned WestAfricaENRG, a leading Environmental Solutions company in Nigeria, to manage OYOWMA as well as take care of the full operational and legal duties of OYOWMA in the State.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun explained that the management of OYOWMA was changed under the Public Private Partnership laws, adding that the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would still play a key role in the regulation and oversight functions of solid waste disposal issues within the state along with other duties.
Arulogun explained that WestAfricaENRG is to undertake a whole scale re-organisation of waste collection, processing and disposal in the state, starting with the upgrading and capacity building of all waste collection contractors.
“This is to increase job opportunities and the cleanliness of Oyo State. We still have an issue with public enlightenment and compliance and we are working tirelessly to achieve this”.
“Effective May 5th, 2017 all Private Waste Contractors in Oyo State have had their contracts terminated, soon an Expression of Interest will be published nationally for the those with the relevant experience and capacity to apply for contacts in Oyo State. Until this is finalized OYOWMA has full responsibility for the collection of wastes. We are confident to say Ibadan is no longer the dirtiest city in Nigeria, a title which no city should aspire to hold. The strides we have made in Ibadan have been replicated across other cities and towns in Oyo State and we know that there is much more to be done”.
The government spokesman urged the citizens, groups, civil societies and communities to partner with the government to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment, noting that the concerted efforts of all and sundry will continue to make Oyo State a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing environment.
According to him, “We want to continue to keep Oyo State clean as part of our investment friendly strategy and improvement of the quality of the lives of our people, create the much needed jobs for our youths, eradicate diseases and vermin caused by indiscriminate disposal of waste”.
Mr. Arulogun called on residents and business owners within the state to dispose wastes in waste bins and stop disposing them on the roads.
He urged them to ensure that their waste bins were made available for collection by OYOWMA, and also pay the government for services when due.