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…promises not to demolish encroached buildings on Awotan dumpsite.

Oyo State Government says it has birthed a new waste management system in the State, adding that it has no plans to demolish buildings which have encroached on Awotan dumpsite.

The Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Kehinde Ayoola revealed this on Tuesday, in a town-hall meeting held with host Communities and residents of Awotan/Akufo in Ibadan.

The town-hall meeting came on the heels of fears nursed by residents of Awotan that houses which encroached on the space of the dumpsite might be demolished by Oyo State Government, while the Commissioner also sought for their co-operation in ending the menace caused by the dumpsite.

Ayoola, said the Oyo State Government has put in place, proper measures to upscale the solid waste management, which is better efficient and would solve the problem of urban solid waste management in the State.

He added that to achieve the largely private-sector driven system, Oyo State Government has brought on board Macpresse West Africa Ltd, a waste management and recycling facility, headed by Mr. Idowu Salawu.

He noted that the company, with over 20 years’ experience in the Environment sector, would assist the State Government in reducing pollution at Ajakanga and Awotan dumpsites and manage Oyo State’s waste management system effectively.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju, the Commissioner noted that the new solid waste management architecture in the State would ensure proper collection, disposal and management of waste in the State, which would henceforth not have adverse effects on residents of Awotan and its environs.

“Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the rehabilitation of two dumpsites in the State, at Ajakanga and Awotan dumpsites. The rehabilitation process is starting at Awotan dumpsite”.

Speaking during the meeting, the Managing Director, Macpresse West Africa Ltd, Mr. Idowu Salawu, said the company’s mandate is to upgrade, rehabilitate and reclaim dumpsites in the State.

He added that Macpresse West Africa Limited would expand the efficiency of the solid waste in the State according to international best practice for Oyo State.

While he reassured residents of Araro, Akufo and Awotan of Government’s magnanimity not to demolish any building, Salawu also called for collective responsibility of the residents in having a smooth upscale in the waste collection operations at the Awotan dumpsite.

Salawu also promised indigenous participation at the dumpsite, by providing employment opportunities for residents, adding that his company would support indigenous workers and ensure it decongests the dumpsite in a short while.

In their separate responses, the Osi Baale Awotan-Adaba, Chief Amusa Akangbe and the Chairman, Awotan-Araro-Akufo Community Association, Elder Ayoade Fajimi thanked the State Government for fulfilling its promises to bring development to Awotan community.

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner,

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,

Oyo State Government.

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The Oyo State Government has sealed a filling station, under construction in Ibadan, based on negative impact the facility would have on a nearby Primary School and persons living within the premises.

Honourable Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, revealed that Oyo State Government issued the directive, following petitions received from residents and business owners.

The filling station, which is under construction at Apata area within Ibadan metropolis is situated very close to St. Michael’s Primary school, Apata, Ibadan and other business facilities.

Ayoola, who visited the site along with Environmental Health Officers of the State said the visit was aimed at accessing the environmental impact of the construction site and take measures that would promote a friendly environment devoid of environmental threats, particularly the pupils of the School.

“As a responsive and responsible Government, the safety and well-being of residents is paramount to us, which must not be compromised most importantly when a school is involved. Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, having education as one of its cardinal agenda, would not allow anything to hinder the success of its education of our pupils” he said.

“We have to put a stop work order and seal up this facility considering the fact that it does not have environmental impact assessment report and some other necessary permit that regulates environmental activities of the State” he added

Hon. Ayoola further said that though as a State that encourages myriad of business opportunities and entrepreneurship development, business activities should not be carried out at the detriment of the people. However, the Government is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the people from any environmental hazards that may likely have negative impact on them

The Hon. Commissioner asserted that the action was to correct the unfriendly habits of degrading the environment which may be susceptible to people’s health.

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner,

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,

Oyo State Government.

The Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources on Monday has prosecuted thirty persons found culpable of (more…)

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Oyo State Government has said it has the mandate to enforce the Environmental sanitation laws, stressing that it would henceforth wield the big stick of the law against saboteurs of Environmental exercises in the State.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola stated this while monitoring the Monthly environmental sanitation exercise observed today, in Ibadan.

Speaking to some traders, the Commissioner, “Oyo State Government is putting in so much to ensure that our environment is clean, and we would not tolerate any form of sabotage against this process. Enough is enough”.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju, he said the State Government was taking proactive steps to stop unhealthy waste disposal in the State through the revamping of some dump-sites.

Appealing to residents, especially traders to cooperate with the State Government, the Commissioner said, “We appeal to our people to please co-operate with the Engr. Seyi Makinde led administration. We have transited into a new waste management era and we would start experiencing community-based waste management system, which involves them playing their roles during sanitation exercises like this.”

In addition, Ayoola promised that the State Government would take seriously, the business of enforcement, saying the exercise would be extended to other parts of the State, in due course.

All we are asking for, is that our people should comply with the State Government’s laws. And we promise, that after proper check on refuse disposal in the State, Oyo State Government would take the next giant step of turning our wastes to wealth.

Though, today’s exercise did not restrict vehicular movements, Traders, Shops and Business complexes whose goods and wares were displayed during the sanitation hours have been sanctioned.

The team of Environmental Health Officers led by the Permanent Secretary visited major markets in Ibadan such as Bodija, Oje, and Bere.

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner,

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,

Oyo State Government.

No fewer than three major markets in Oyo town were sensitized on the need to maintain clean environment during an awareness campaign embarked upon by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources recently at the ancient town.

The Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola who led the sensitization team comprising of the Permanent Secretary, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju,  Directors and Environmental Health Officers of the Ministry as well as Heads of Local Government Administrators in Oyo town, representatives of  Non Governmental Organisations, market leaders among others, said there was dire need to urgently embrace safe environmental habits by the residents of Oyo State to have quality living condition.

The visit to the popular Akesan, Sabo and Ajegunle markets held during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, thus, provided opportunity to monitor the level of compliance of the residents of Oyo town to environmental laws of the State

Ayoola, while addressing the market traders delved into the benefits associated with living in clean environment, noting that such culture could help in achieving a healthy and aesthetics environment for all and sundry.

He noted that indiscriminate dumping of refuse could unleash untold health and environmental disasters of unimaginable magnitude the lives of residents and the society in general.

“It is unhealthy to see accumulation of refuse anywhere as it harbors vectors of diseases and epidemics. In this age as far as environment is concerned, our desire for a clean environment represents a powerful sense of destiny and hope for the future.

“We urge the people of Oyo town to imbibe the culture of clean environment and develop strong aversion for bad attitude like indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage and waterways which usually cause flooding.”

The Commissioner, further, averred that it was increasingly becoming impossible to isolate man from his immediate environment, be it natural or artificial, hence, the act of keeping clean environment should be an act of collective responsibility for the residents of Oyo State.

According to him, citizens must desist from the obnoxious act of indiscriminate dumping of refuse and other unfriendly environmental practices capable to destroying the ecosystem of the State, urging the residents to embrace the culture of proper waste disposal which could to a large extent, reduce environmental risks

“People of Oyo State need to be mindful of their environment, that is what God has given us and we must value it. In a situation where people don’t want to oblige environmental laws and sanitation, we have enforcement agencies empowered by law to impose sanctions on such individuals,” he stressed

In his reaction, the Chairman of Ajegunle Market, Alhaji Moshood Anifalaje expressed profound appreciation on behalf of the traders for the enlightenment campaign. He pledged the support of the market men and women in complying with the environmental laws, standard regulations of the State.

He further assured the Commissioner that the market traders would henceforth, cooperate with waste contractors in ensuring regular, timely and proper evacuation of their wastes

Meanwhile, the Hon. Commissioner held agenda setting meeting with the Heads of Local Government Administrators and Environmental Health Officers of the four Local Government areas in Oyo Federal constituency.

The agenda of the meeting was to harmonize the combined strategies the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the various Local Government areas in curbing environmental menace in Oyo metropolis while also creating effective measures capable of sustaining an environmentally friendly environment

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner, 

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,

Oyo State Government.