Ogun rules out return of monthly environmental sanitation

The Ogun State Government has ruled out the re-introduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise in the state.

The government said it will instead invest more in waste management equipment for a cleaner, healthier and safer environment.

Governor Dapo Abiodun stated this when he commissioned waste management equipment, operational vehicles and an office block to mark the six months in office of the Special Adviser and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority, OGWAMA, Farouk Akintunde, in Abeokuta.

Abiodun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the state had outgrown the monthly sanitation exercise since it was scrapped six years ago.

He noted that every day is now environmental sanitation day in the state.

According to him, there is no need to pick a day in a month to shut down the state for hours in the name of sanitation.

“Already our people are used to daily sanitation, so instead of re-introducing monthly environmental exercise, we have decided to buy more compactors and other waste management equipment for OGWAMA to daily collect and properly dispose of waste generated by households, commercial outlets and industrial facilities in conjunction with accredited PSP operators,” he said.

He added that the state government will soon take delivery of the compactors and other equipment to further strengthen OGWAMA.

Abiodun commended residents, Community Development Associations, CDAs, owners of commercial outlets and captains of industries for their cooperation in keeping the state clean.

He assured that his administration will continue to empower and equip the Ministry of Environment and its sister agencies, the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency, OGEPA, and OGWAMA for better service delivery.

The governor also lauded the Special Adviser and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Farouk Akintunde, for his achievements in the last six months despite limited resources, adding that with more equipment, he would take the agency to greater heights.