The Oyo State Government has commenced the enforcement of the house-to-house waste bin collection policy across the state, giving defaulters 48 hours to comply.
Environmental officers of the state Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources embarked on inspections of residential buildings, business premises and other facilities to ensure compliance with proper waste management regulations.
Oyo Govt on waste bin collection policy
The state Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, stated this during the flag off of the enforcement exercise on Tuesday.
He explained that the measure was in line with the laws of the state mandating residents, businesses and other establishments to have proper arrangements for the disposal of their waste.
He noted that the enforcement was necessary to address the environmental, aesthetic, economic and public health challenges associated with improper waste management.
According to him, the exercise involved inspecting premises to ascertain whether occupants have appropriate waste bins and were registered with approved and designated waste consultants assigned to their locations.
He disclosed that buildings found without the required waste bins or proper waste collection arrangements were being served abatement notices and given a 48-hour grace period to comply.
Aderinto stressed that failure to comply within the stipulated 48 hours would attract enforcement action.
He added that it would also include the closure of defaulting premises, noting that the government would continue the exercise across the state until the required level of compliance was achieved.
The commissioner urged residents to cooperate with the government by obtaining appropriate waste bins and engaging only approved waste consultants designated to their areas.
He also advised residents to report any accredited waste collector who failed to evacuate waste as required to the ministry or to the Oyo State Solid Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA).
He gave an assurance that such consultants would face appropriate sanctions, including possible revocation of their operating licences.
