In order to proffer collective solutions to the challenges of waste management in Oyo State, the state government in partnership with Mottainai Recycling Limited has organized a stakeholders meeting.
The meeting which was held at the House of Chiefs on Wednesday had in attendance, traders and artisans across markets in the state.
The meeting was part of efforts to maintain a clean and healthy environment in Oyo State.
In his welcome address, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said that the government cannot make the state clean alone without involving all the relevant stakeholders, calling on them to support the government in making the objective a reality.
Also speaking at the event, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Abiodun Oni, urged traders and artisans to embrace the new waste management of zero waste, zero budget initiative.
He said the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration is harnessing opportunities in public and private waste management to drive sustainable city and urban circular economy.
The Commissioner further said that the present administration means to make life bearable for residents of the state with the involvement of a consultant, Mottainai Recycling Limited and make Oyo State clean and habitable with individuals’ input.
“We have had this challenge of cleaning the city. We just thought that as we continue the process of keeping the city clean, we should engage the stakeholders as well.
“This is a new initiative that we introduced: a zero budget initiative. The people should expect a clean environment, while we also target a waste to wealth initiative”, he added.
He said that the government is strategising, such that the traders will pay a little token to get their wastes cleared, therefore, he urged them to cooperate with the consultant, in ensuring a healthy and clean environment.
Oni said that the state government launched the Initiative, which resulted in the overhaul of the state’s solid waste management system.
“We must be able to challenge the people and communities who produce the majority of the waste to exercise greater responsibility in the disposal of their waste, while also exploring funding strategies to address the issues.
“We must be aware that we are all the recipients of personal deviations and that waste generated must be disposed of through the proper waste management channels”.
Also Speaking, Managing Director, Mottainai Recycling, Mr. Ade Adewuyi, said the new initiative allows residents of the State to pay little or nothing for waste management.
He said his firm is set to sort and buy wastes from waste creators and generators in the state.
Adewuyi established that flooding and epidemics are caused by solid waste being dumped in various places, therefore, it is crucial than ever to ensure solid waste recycling.
