As part of the lined up activities to mark the World Environment Day, the Oyo State Government has launched the Clean an Green Club in schools, Tree planting and distribution of mobile toilets, with the intention of stopping open defecation in the State.

According to the State’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources during a walking exercise and awareness campaign with the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju  Directors of the Ministry, the need for clean environment necessitated the exercise.

He said tree planting, which kicked off from the Ministry to Oje Market in Ibadan is one of the ways of responding to the urgent need to reduce the harmful effect of global warming which has resulted to climate change.

The Commissioner, while kicking off the tree  planting at Oje Market, stressed that the launching signified the footprint of what Governor Seyi Makinde had stated in transforming Oyo State and making life better for people to live in the State.

Speaking earlier at the launching of Mobile toilets and Clean and Green Club for some selected public Secondary Schools in Oyo State, held at the frontage of the Ministry, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun revealed that the benefits of clean environment and tree planting cannot be over emphasized, hence, the reason for imbibing the ideals in the younger ones who will also pass the message to the next generation.

“This would help the present administration to transform Oyo State into a better position to attract a healthier environment and make individuals to be more creative in their thinking.”

Mrs. Adeosun equally stated that the mobile toilets would eradicate open defecation in the State and also reduce communicable diseases that may threaten individual’s life.

The Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Oyeleke  revealed that the students will be encouraged to emulate cleaning and planting of trees.

“It is expected that members of this club will help to transform their respective communities as thirty three seedlings had been taken to each of the selected secondary schools which had been planted in the school premises.

“Similarly, Forestry officials and Environmental Health Officers in the respective zones of the State have been mandated to hold regular meetings with the club members and build their capacities in the area of focus.”

The Commissioner also thanked the stakeholders involved in the initiative and further noted that the environment needed to be preserved in order to sustain its value, which called for all hands to be on deck, to embrace environmental friendly practices such as waste recycling, refraining from deforestation, cleaning surroundings and also desisting from indiscriminate dumping of refuse, particularly in canals and drainages which are usually responsible for blockage of water and causing flooding.

Oyeleke stated that open defecation which has been a concern for the administration will be a thing of the past with the launching and distribution of mobile toilets to identified areas with challenges in open defecation, especially market areas, garages and other areas, stressing that the mobile toilets would assist in mitigating health challenges associated with open defecation.

Signed:

Wasiu Olatubosun (P.hd),

Hon. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Ibadan.

As part of the activities to mark the second year anniversary of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in Oyo  State, the State Government is set to unveil not less than fifty mobile toilets to be placed in strategic locations in the State with the aim of eradicating open defecation.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor of the State, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Abdulateef Oyeleke  while addressing newsmen in Ibadan over the weekend, said that the mobile toilets will be situated at locations for the conveniences of pedestrians, passengers and travellers in an attempt to ensuring that the environment is not polluted.

“The mobile toilets will be placed in strategic locations across the State to assist in promoting personal hygiene of the citizens and maintaining a healthy standard in the State, which will not only stop the spread of diseases such as cholera, Typhoid, diarrhoea, but also check other ravaging diseases that are threats to human existence.

“The toilets will be placed in locations like markets, garages and other public places to eliminate health risks associated with open defecation and promote personal hygiene.”

The Commissioner enjoined the people of the State to support the policy of clean and green initiative of the present administration, as the Environmental Health Officers and Task Force Team will soon be directed to arrest and prosecute anyone caught defecating in the open.

In the same vein,  not less than ten tricycles were received by the Ministry of Environment for evacuation of recycle waste within Local Government Areas in the State.

The initiative would not only enhance the efforts of the present administration in the clean and green policy and to attain a sustainable environment that is capable of promoting the economic growth and wellbeing of the entire citizenry but will also reduce the incidence of flood which usually occurs when it rains as a result of blocked drainage  through indiscriminate dumping of refuse inside drainages, water ways and other open spaces.

The Commissioner added that it will also provide job opportunities for the youths as a local investor has been engaged and mandated to set up a modern recycling facility in the State within the next six months of his partnership with Oyo State Government.

In his remarks, the Managing Director  of the company , Mottainai, Mr. Ade Adewuyi stated that the concept of this initiative is to start paying for recyclable waste materials, while also engaging youths in the State in the process termed circular economy.

The process is aimed at eliminating flood incidents and maintenance of clean environment, while there will be financial capacity for the people and job opportunities for the youths.

Signed:

Wasiu Olatubosun (P.hd),

Hon. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism,

Ibadan.

…pledges to fix Awotan Health Centre, install solar lights

…says project will provide 3,000 jobs for residents

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Thursday, commissioned the Awotan Landfill Project and also unveiled the Clean and Green Waste Trucks, to improve environmental and social well-being of residents of the State.

Governor Makinde, who stated this while speaking at the official commissioning of the Awotan Landfill and unveiling of Clean and Green Waste Trucks, held at the Awotan Landfill, Akufo Road, Awotan, Ibadan, said the project will provide job opportunities for self-reliance to 3,000 residents of the community.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Governor equally pledged to fix the Awotan Health Centre, adding that the Government had the plan to have one standard health care facility in every ward of Oyo State.

He said: “When we were confronted with the issue of waste in Oyo State, we had two main choices. One, a quick fix, which could have happened sooner, or a more complex and far-reaching solution, which would take some time. As you can see, the video clip we just watched is quite complex.

“The quick fix would have just meant that we are just kicking the ball further down the road. Sometimes in the future, we will, again, be confronted with the issue of waste disposal. Maybe then, it will be another administration that will deal with it but we would have gone away with the tag of ‘Architect of Modern Oyo State.’

“One, those who live near this dumpsite, the nearest settlement is just about 200 meters away from where we are right now, would have had to continue dealing with their groundwater contamination and their water will have remained unsafe for them to drink.

“The Baale of Awotan has asked us to fix the health centre here and I want to assure you that we will do it. We already put a plan in place to have one standard health care facility in every ward in Oyo State and we will have 351 of them.

“Secondly, they would have continued to live with the stench coming from this dumpsite. The multiplier effect is that those who have properties for rent around here would have a hard time letting them out and, of course, I have spoken about the health implications as well.

“As a matter of fact, when I met some people here, they said they abandoned their houses here and relocated to the city but, the good news is, they are coming back now.

“I want to acknowledge the immense contribution of our late compatriot and former Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola. He did all the planning and groundwork to make sure that this project turns out as it is today.

“May the good Lord continually be with his family. Let me also thank the current Commissioner for Environment, Barrister Idowu Oyeleke, for seeing the project to a logical conclusion.

“So, as I said earlier, we decided on the second option. Yes, it took more time, which meant that people complained about refuse disposal for a little longer but we knew that when we accomplish what we set out to accomplish here, the result will be glaring to all.”

Governor Makinde maintained that the success of the landfill project has led to the creation of massive job opportunities, as, according to him, 500 private companies have been registered for refuse collection, with each of them expected to recruit at least six people including drivers and refuse packers.

“We are standing on the ground now and we can see everywhere. So, apart from this environment, the total rehabilitation of this landfill resulted in engaging over 500 registered private companies in refuse collection. Each of those companies will employ at least a driver, a number of packers and others. If you multiply six by five hundred it will give you 3,000 direct jobs.

“Also, about 50 people worked here as scavengers and I don’t think they will continue to scavenge again, because there will be a rise in their take-home. They will be staying here now and those who need whatever they separate will have to come down and buy from them here.

“So, these individuals who worked on this project; contractors and others, we appreciate their efforts and the resultant effect is that we have more funds into Oyo State’s economy. Now that the site is completed, what is next? The benefit of upgrading this dumpsite is immense. We are all breathing easily right now.

“The last time we came here, we discovered that access will be a challenge. We had to look for an alternative route. The Apete-Awotan road is less than 1,500 metres and once you pass this place further down to Akufo junction, the traffic will be less.

“So, in less than six to eight weeks, the problem of access to this place will have been completely solved. And another added sweetener is there is methane gas under here, which will be converted to electricity that will in turn be used to install street lights around here. We will provide the street light and this place will provide the gas that will be used to generate electricity for that purpose,” the Governor added.

The Governor further said that with the success of the project, the newly launched waste management architecture in the State has begun on a sound footing, adding that there will be less refuse on the streets of Ibadan, the State capital.

He said: “Finally, we will have less refuse on our streets because the contractors will be paid per kilogram of debris they bring here. It means anyone that did not collect waste will not get paid.

“Of course, knowing how much each of the registered companies spend acquiring the trucks and other equipment to work with, they will want to recoup their investment. So, they will keep going out to pick up the waste. Suddenly, the waste is now like Gold. This, of course, will translate to economic benefit to Oyo State.

“The more refuse we get here also the better for our waste to wealth initiative. Apart from the gas, some came and said they can convert the waste to fertilizer. So, we will encourage them. If there is an access road to get here to come and do what they have proposed, it is also for the benefit of the residents here.

“So, you can see that the Clean and Green is a total municipal waste system solution.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Abdulateef Oyeleke, said that the landfill project was a crucial part of the broad plan to reposition Oyo State, especially the State capital, Ibadan, as a sustainable and ideal metropolitan city free from dirt and filth.

He maintained that the desire of Governor Makinde‘s administration is to modernise its solid waste management and that the project would create a clean, green, and environmentally friendly State.

He equally stated that the landfill would not only open doors of opportunities to residents of the State, but that it would also serve as an excellent renewable energy source and generate hundreds of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

“This project has bridged the sad gap of 21st century urban waste transportation, by introducing the clean and green trucks through PPP arrangement. The trucks are well-equipped to evacuate refuse from the various collection points and safely transport the same to the landfill.

“We appreciate commitment, support, supervision and prompt release of funds to this project. We also thank the Awotan community for the support to the State Government, PSP Waste Contractors throughout the execution period of this project and other stakeholders who have formidably partnered with the Government in contributing their own quota to the development of the State,” the commissioner said.

He appealed to all house owners and facility owners, either private, commercial or industrial in Oyo State to complement the effort of the State Government by promptly paying waste bills in order to achieve a safe, clean and healthy environment.

He added that with the successful completion and commissioning of the Awotan landfill, the contractor will mobilize to Ajakanga dump site for its rehabilitation and upgrading to landfill status, stating that the contractor has promised to complete the project in record time.

The contractor of the project and C.E.O, Messers Macpresse West African Limited, Alhaji Idowu Salawu, said that the Awotan landfill is characteristic of any landfill in the world, adding that history was made because the 50 scavengers, who have been working at the site could not be sure of Material Recovery Facility (MRF) that will handle 50 tonnes waste material every day and increase their income.

He said: “Another good thing that we have derived from here is, before we completed this project, we had been receiving commendation from the residents of this area. What we did here is purely scientific. The gas component here can power 1megawatt of electricity on 1 hectare of land. So, since we have six hectares here, we can generate 6 megawatts of electricity.

“On renewable energy, we will partner with LAUTECH for them to use this place as the practical aspect of the department the Government recently created.”

In his remarks, the Alawotan of Awotan, Oba Dauda Omotosho, appreciated Governor Makinde for making lives meaningful to all the residents of Awotan community and creating an environment that will be habitable for them.

He added that the Awotan community “has never had it this good,” saying the Makinde-led administration has taken the dividends of democracy to their door step.

Signed

Taiwo Adisa

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde