By Kemi Olatunde

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Plans have been concluded to put in place an upgrade of facility at the Aponmu landfill site to ensure effective waste management in the state.

To this end, Private Sector Participants (PSPs) have been advised to make use of it.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr Oyeniyi Oseni gave the hint while unveiling the state government new agenda on waste collection in Akure on Thursday.

While expressing appreciation to the Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa for giving emergency approval for the upgrade of the facility, he stated that government will continue to step up intervention to ensure that the state, especially the state capital wears new look.

The Commissioner who said that the state cannot afford to keep recording high rate of epidemic due to ineffective waste management said that it is important that government comes up with a new model which according to him will turn around the waste management in the state.

He said; “Ondo State was rated severally as one of best in terms of cleanliness in Nigeria in the past but at the point of influx of people into the state, especially Akure, made us witness tremendous growth in population and expansion in several developmental projects and this has contributed to increase in waste management.

“Government prepared for the future with the development through the implementation of model which ceded critical area of our mandate in waste management to partners. The era didn’t perform well, hence we review the MOU and Ondo State Waste Management Authority (OSWMA) took over the job.

He called on staff of OSWMA to be confident in discharging their duties stressing the need to work together for greater achievement.

He charged PSPs in the state to show commitment, adding that they should ensure regular service of household in order to earn their trust.

He assured PSPs of government resolve to sensitise residents on waste management, adding that it will give incentives to relieve their operation, and that government will be transparent and stringent with terms attached to the incentive.

Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Omotayo Akeju explained that government is putting measures in place to ensure that the state becomes the neatest in the country, adding that participants should help in making the state healthy for residents.

General Manager, Ondo State Waste Management Authority (OSWMA), Mr. Fola Omowole while thanking the Governor for giving priority to the issue of environment, stressed the need to rework the existing waste management situation in order to attain the desired vision.

Chairman, PSP operators on waste collection participation, Mr. Wahaab Olokungboye pledged members’ commitment in ensuring a cleaner environment through collective effective service delivery.