By Kemi Olatunde

Residents of Ondo State have been urged to support the government in managing waste to prevent flooding and the outbreak of diseases in the state.

The Chairman of the Ondo State Waste Management Board, Mrs. Yinka Alabi, gave this charge while meeting with the staff of the State Waste Management Authority (OSWMA) in Akure on Thursday.

According to her, it is important that residents embrace proper waste containerisation, which would be collected by waste collectors, adding that they must desist from indiscriminate waste disposal, especially along major roads.

While commending the authority’s staff for their efforts in keeping the state clean, she stressed the need for effective waste management, urging them to make additional efforts to ensure the state becomes the cleanest in Nigeria.

“You should work assiduously to keep the state clean. Let us work with a clear conscience, as this will pay off through God’s reward. The Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, wants the state to be the best in terms of cleanliness in Nigeria, and I believe that we can achieve it,” she charged.

She emphasised the importance of teamwork between the board and the staff, assuring them of better days ahead.

The General Manager of OSWMA, Mr. Fola Omowole, commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for establishing the board for effective waste management in the state.

He called on the staff to foster a better working relationship with the board and assured them of the unwavering support of the staff towards the board members.

A part-time member of the board, Festus Aregbesola, sought the cooperation of the staff to improve the state’s waste management system, stressing the need for unity among the staff.

A staff member, Mr. Tolu Akinpelumi, assured the board of the staff’s readiness to cooperate to achieve better results in waste management within the state.

It should be recalled that last Friday, the Governor constituted the waste management board as part of efforts to improve sanitation and waste management in the state.

The board members include: Mrs. Yinka Alabi – Chairman (Full-time), Festus Aregbesola (Part-time Member), Dr. Tob Loko (Part-time Member), Hon. Aro Pelumi Bernard (Part-time Member), and General Manager, OSWMA, Mr. Fola Omowole as the board’s Secretary.