A socio-cultural group based in Ibadan, MATOP has proffered solution to the waste management challenges in Oyo state.
This was contained in a statement sent to OduduwaNews today by leader of the group, Mrs. Temitope Aladegbowo which reads in part:
“We wish to call the attention of Oyo State government to some identified solutions to the challenges facing Oyo Waste Management Authority which inhibit its smooth activities towards making Ibadan and its environs a clean city.
“It is our resolved that the problems bedeviling waste management in Oyo State is as a result of putting round peg in square hole which the end-result will be counterproductive to the vision and aspirations of Seyi Makinde led-administration towards making entire Oyo State hygienic environment. We are very shocked from the information available to us that some of the contractors handling the waste disposal currently were part of those that aided the failure of West Africa Energy during the last administration despite the fact that their Managing Contractor had been sacked since last year November.
“We are aware that some contractors hired directly by the State government before the dissolution of board members of Oyo Waste Management Authority are yet to be allocated routes for the discharge of their responsibilities. There is need to resolve inherited crisis, the house divided against itself cannot bring meaningful result as some waste contractors contracted some months ago are currently left idled and have not been given letter of appointment. The delay in giving them their letter of appointment to bring them on board is a major setback to the waste management in Oyo State. We are aware that some of them have even invested huge amount of capital on documentation and other necessary requirements that qualified them for the task.
“The lamentation of the citizens on the state of dirtiness in Oyo State could be addressed holistically by putting measures in place to address the plights of the said idled contractors contracted some months ago but yet to be allocated routes and designations due to the delay in their letter of appointment and the formality of their contract. We therefore call on the State government to call on all the contractors, dialogue with them and charge them to expedite action in evacuating refuse littering the nooks and crannies of Oyo State within a short period of time. Staggering contract cannot achieve the desired results as it will only be a palliative or cosmetic approach to waste management in Oyo State.
“We hereby use this medium to also recommend that government should address below suggestions in its bid to ensure that the State is dirty free:
“All the dumpsites should be well taken care of on a daily basis by professionals in order not to become health hazard to the residents. We recall to the recent investigation, a Media platform which was said to have revealed the state of Moniya and other dumpsites that have become horrendous and in need of urgent attention.
‘There should be transparency in the manner at which government gives waste management contract out so as to absolve serious minded people who will complement the effort of the State government towards the realization of a very clean environment. Also, more contractors need to be engaged so as to be able to cover every nook and cranny of Oyo state.
“PSP contractor needs to be strengthened by the government through soft loan so as to be able to improve service delivery as well as formation of environmental taskforce that comprises professionals to the core. All stakeholders must show a very serious concern towards the rejuvenation of agency in charge of waste management in Oyo state.
“Government should prioritized waste management in Oyo state and there must be adequate budgetary allocation for Oyo Waste Management Authority to perform supervisory role coupled with implementation, monitoring and enforcement of waste policy.
“Above all, we at the MATOP believe that the waste management agency should be placed under the supervision of the Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan as it was done during Akala and Lam Adesina regimes”.