Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Oyo State government yesterday disclosed that its contracts with all Private Waste Contractors had been terminated with effect from May 5, stating that Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA) now has the mandate with full responsibility for the collection of waste in line with its commitment to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.

The government also said it had commissioned WestAfricaENRG, a leading Environmental Solutions company in Nigeria, to manage OYOWMA as well as taking care of the full operational and legal duties of the agency in the state.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said the management of Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA) was changed under the Public Private Partnership Laws, adding that Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would still take a key role in the regulation and oversight functions of solid waste disposal issues within the state along with other duties.

He noted that WestAfricaENRG has been tasked to undertake a whole scale re-organisation of waste collection, processing and disposal in the state, starting with the upgrading and capacity building of all waste collection contractors.

He said, “This to increase job opportunities and the cleanliness of Oyo State. We still have an issue with public enlightenment and compliance and we are working tirelessly to achieve this.

“Effective May 5th, 2017 all Private Waste Contractors in Oyo State have had their contracts terminated, soon an Expression of Interest will be published nationally for the those with the relevant experience and capacity to apply for contacts in Oyo State. Until this is finalized OYOWMA has full responsibility for the collection of waste.

“We are confident to say Ibadan is no longer the dirtiest city in Nigeria, a title which no city should aspire to hold. The strides we have made in Ibadan have been replicated across other cities and towns in Oyo State and we know that there is much more to be done”.

Arulogun charged the citizens, groups, civil societies and communities to partner with the government to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment, noting that the concerted efforts of all and sundry will continue to make the state a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing environment.

According to him, the government wants to continue to keep the state clean as part of its investment friendly strategy and improvement of the quality of the lives of our people, create the much needed jobs for the youths, eradicate diseases and vermin caused by indiscriminate disposal of waste.

He also called on residents and business owners within the state to dispose wastes in waste bins and stop disposing on  the roads, urging that they should ensure that their waste bins are made available for collection by OYOWMA, and also pay the government for the services when due.