The Ogun State Government has ruled out the reintroduction of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, opting instead to strengthen waste collection and disposal operations across the state.
Governor Dapo Abiodun said the government would provide additional waste management equipment, including compactors and operational vehicles, to improve the capacity of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA).
Abiodun made this known during the commissioning of waste management equipment, operational vehicles and an office block in Abeokuta, held to mark the first six months in office of the Special Adviser and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Farouk Akintunde.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, said Ogun State had moved beyond the old practice of shutting down economic and social activities for several hours every month for environmental sanitation.
According to him, the state government has promoted daily environmental sanitation over the past six years, making a designated monthly sanitation exercise unnecessary.He said the government would rather invest in modern waste management infrastructure to ensure the regular collection and proper disposal of waste generated by households, businesses and industries.
“Already our people are used to daily sanitation, so instead of reintroducing 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,” the governor said.
Abiodun added that the additional equipment would further strengthen OGWAMA and address some of the challenges associated with the former monthly sanitation system, including delays in waste evacuation after the exercise.
He said the state government would soon take delivery of more compactors and other waste management facilities as part of efforts to improve environmental services across Ogun.
The governor also commended residents, Community Development Associations, business owners and industrial operators for supporting the government’s drive to maintain a clean environment.Abiodun assured residents that his administration would continue to provide resources and equipment for the Ministry of Environment and its agencies, including the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) and OGWAMA.
He also praised Akintunde for his performance during his first six months as the managing director of OGWAMA, expressing optimism that the new equipment would further transform the agency’s operations.The governor said the government’s focus remains on building a cleaner, healthier and safer Ogun State through efficient daily waste collection and improved environmental management.
