The Oyo State Government has rolled out a new daily environmental sanitation monitoring and enforcement system aimed at promoting a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, made this known during a press briefing marking his first 100 days in office. He explained that the government is moving away from the traditional once-a-month sanitation exercise to a more consistent, proactive approach that places responsibility for cleanliness on residents every day.
According to the Commissioner, environmental health officers have now been deployed across the state to ensure compliance with sanitation regulations on a daily basis. He stressed that maintaining a clean environment should no longer be seen as an occasional activity but a continuous civic duty.
To strengthen the initiative, the government has re-engaged 930 environmental personnel, including vanguards, sweepers, and waste packers, to improve sanitation coverage and enforcement. In addition, two new compactor trucks have been procured with the support of Governor Seyi Makinde to boost waste collection and evacuation efforts.
Aderinto noted that the expanded workforce has been strategically deployed to ensure efficiency, revealing that street sweepers will now operate in two shifts daily to maintain cleaner roads and public spaces. He added that the welfare of these workers has also been considered, as they have been enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme.
In a bid to encourage public participation, the Ministry has introduced the Oyo Soro Soke Environmental Whistleblower platform, accessible through mobile applications and WhatsApp. The platform allows residents to report environmental violations, thereby strengthening community involvement in maintaining environmental standards.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the Ministry has introduced a waste segregation system across government offices to promote proper waste management practices. Efforts are also underway through public-private partnerships to construct modern public toilet facilities, as part of a broader strategy to eliminate open defecation.
Highlighting additional achievements, Aderinto said the Ministry has improved its communication with the public through regular press briefings and timely advisories on environmental and public health concerns such as flooding, heat waves, cholera, and Lassa fever. He also noted that charcoal production in the state is now being regulated under a structured framework, while initiatives such as tree planting campaigns to mark environmental events have been intensified.
He expressed appreciation to the Governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued dedication to improving environmental standards. He also commended members of the State Executive Council and the Ministry’s leadership for their support and collaboration, assuring residents that the government will sustain and build on the progress achieved so far.
Post comments (0)