Waste contractors operating under the Refuse Contractor Association (RCA) in Oyo State have commended the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, alongside the leadership of the Oyo State Waste Management Agency (OYOWMA), under the chairman, Adeniyi Waheed Akanbi,
for what they described as transformative sanitation initiatives aimed at restoring environmental cleanliness across the state.
The contractors gave the commendation in a statement on Monday morning and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, where they lauded the ongoing reforms in waste management, environmental sanitation enforcement and refuse evacuation being implemented by the present administration.
One of the prominent leaders of the Association, Mr. Odeyemi Davis Michael said the renewed attention being given to environmental sanitation had significantly improved operational efficiency and public awareness on proper waste disposal.
According to him, the state government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and OYOWMA, has demonstrated strong commitment towards building a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.
“The present leadership in the Ministry of Environment and OYOWMA has shown seriousness and dedication towards improving environmental sanitation in Oyo State.
“We have seen practical steps being taken, especially in refuse evacuation, public sensitisation and support for contractors handling waste management operations,” he said.
Michael noted that the decision of the state government to intensify daily sanitation monitoring and enforcement across communities had helped to curb indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roadsides, medians and drainage channels.
He further applauded the continuous desilting of drainages and evacuation of waste from black spots across Ibadan and other major towns, saying such interventions had contributed to reducing environmental pollution and flood risks.
“We have witnessed regular evacuation of refuse and clearing of blocked drainage channels in several areas. This is gradually changing the environmental outlook of the state and encouraging residents to become more responsible,” he added.
Also, Mrs. Adebisi Rebecca Olabisi, who cosigned the press statement, described the sanitation reforms under the current administration as timely and impactful, especially with the renewed collaboration between government agencies and private refuse contractors.
She explained that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, which supervises environmental policies and hygiene enforcement, alongside OYOWMA, responsible for day-to-day waste collection and environmental maintenance, have created a more coordinated system for waste management in the state.
According to her, the synergy between the Ministry and agency has enhanced operational effectiveness and strengthened environmental sustainability efforts.
“The Ministry handles policy direction and environmental health matters, while OYOWMA coordinates waste collection and sanitation activities. What we are seeing now is stronger collaboration that is yielding visible results across the state,” she stated.
Olabisi also praised the government’s introduction of waste segregation initiatives in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, saying the policy would encourage recycling culture and reduce environmental hazards associated with indiscriminate waste disposal.
She equally commended plans by the state government to establish a waste-to-wealth and recycling facility aimed at converting waste into useful products including electricity, biofuel and reusable materials.
According to her, such initiatives would not only improve environmental cleanliness but also create employment opportunities and boost economic activities within the waste management sector.
The contractors further applauded the re-engagement of environmental sanitation workers, deployment of additional sweepers on major roads and efforts to strengthen public sensitisation against dumping refuse into waterways.
They maintained that the environmental policies introduced under the present leadership have started yielding positive outcomes, particularly in promoting cleaner streets, safer drainages and healthier communities.
The association, however, appealed to residents to complement government efforts by embracing proper waste disposal practices, paying waste management levies promptly and cooperating with sanitation officials during enforcement operations.
They stressed that maintaining a clean environment should not be left to government alone but must involve active participation from all residents and stakeholders.
The contractors reaffirmed their readiness to continue partnering with the state government in sustaining environmental sanitation initiatives while ensuring a cleaner Oyo State.
