The Oyo State Government has charged residents of the State to have a change of mind-set in the new year, urging them to patronise assigned PSP operators.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun on Thursday.

Olatubosun who gave this charge in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, urged residents to regularly pay their waste bills, acquire waste bins for their homes, and avoid cart pushers.

In the statement, Olatubosun charged residents to work in tandem with the laid down principles by Oyo State Waste Management Task Force and the Oyo State Government Waste Management consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd.

He said, “The Oyo State Waste Management Taskforce and Mottianai have appealed to residents at different times to promptly pay their waste bills. The two have also promised to continue offering quality service, to keep our city clean”.

Speaking further, Olatubosun reiterated the need for every home to acquire a waste bin, as enforcement on defaulting homes would begin in earnest.

He also lauded the Task Force’s efforts, led by Mrs. Adedayo Aderonke at improving the collection and disposal of solid waste, including the deployment of additional waste collection trucks and the implementation of a new route optimization system.

Also speaking on Mottainai Recycling Ltd’s efforts at tackling the menace of indiscriminate refuse disposal, Olatubosun said the company has stepped up its advocacy campaign this year.

He also harped on the importance of recycling in the waste management ecosystem in the State, urging residents to explore it for its vast economic and environmental values.

“Last year, the Oyo State Government intensified efforts to promote the culture of environmental sustainability among residents, through market advocacy programs”, he said.

“One of the key areas we focused on last year was improving the collection and disposal of solid waste, and recycling. This year we will do more. We will increase the number of waste collection trucks on our roads, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness,” he stated.

Olatubosun also thanked Oyo State residents for their cooperation and support.

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E-signed:

Hon. Wasiu Olatubosun, Ph.D.,

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Solid Waste Management Consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd. has hinted that it is working on setting up mini recycling hubs across the State, adding that Oja Anajeere, Academy market, Ibadan is one of the pilot locations.

The Managing Director, Mottainai Recycling, Mr. Adey Adewuyi stated this today, adding that this will promote waste as a valuable currency for social good and economic inclusion.

 Adewuyi, who emphasized that the hubs will increase awareness on Waste challenges and solutions in Ibadan, added that the recycling hubs will encourage residents to adopt the habit of recycling and turn their waste into wealth.

Adewuyi recalled that in commemoration of World Clean-up Day 2022, Mottainai Recycling Limited carried out the first state-wide clean up exercise in Ibadan, recovering over Five thousand, One hundred and seventy (5,170) kilograms of plastics and over one thousand, one hundred (1,100) kilograms of cartons during the exercise.

“The Clean-up exercise, first of its kind in Oyo State promoted sensitization and awareness at large on how a waste-free environment can maximize sales, prevent outbreak of diseases, foster good health practices and in turn generate wealth at Oja Anajere, Academy community market, at Iwo road”, he said.

Adey Adewuyi, explained that the initiative was borne out of the need to ensure that Oyo State is clean and people inculcate better lifestyle changes towards the environment because waste management is a collective responsibility.

“This is part of the Oyo State Government’s efforts to change the trajectory of sustainable waste management practices in Oyo State”, he said.

Explaining the significance of the recycling exercise, Adewuyi stated that this would create a mind-shift as individuals are able to sort their waste, “because they see value in it and this will surely change the dynamics for Recycling Structure in Oyo State, hence the introduction ‘Recyclables for Reward’ where participants were given instant rewards for recyclables such as PET and plastics and cartons”.

Highlight of the event was the “Recyclables for Rewards Raffle Draw”, when a thrift ware vendor in the market, Mrs Oguntade Nofisat, walked away with the grand prize of a parcel of land.

E-signed:

Hon. Wasiu Olatubosun, Ph.D.,

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism,

Oyo State.