Director-General of the Ekiti State Waste Management Agency (EKSWAMA), Mr. Olasunkanmi Onipede has disclosed that the Ekiti State government has invested so much on environmental issues, particularly waste management in the state.
The EKSWAMA DG made the disclosure on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during the interactive S’etigbo multicast powered by the Bureau of Community Communications, Governor’s Office.
The DG reiterated the efforts of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment through the provision of facilities for proper waste management and prioritizing the welfare of workers in the agency.
While appealing to residents of the state to use the facilities for proper waste disposal, he noted that a taskforce has been set-up to apprehend defaulters.
His words: “I advise and appeal to our people to make use of some of the facilities we have produced for waste collections and disposal very well. The government of Oyebanji has invested so much in environmental issues in Ekiti, particularly waste management. We implore our people to make good use of these facilities.
“Apart from recruiting over 80 environmental officers, Mr. Governor approved the repair of 8 waste management vehicles and the purchase of 3 brand-new ones. In addition, the first phase of 20 Dino bins was produced, followed by another batch of 20. As we speak, we have a total of 52 Dino bins altogether. Recently, approval for an additional 20 Dino bins has also been secured to further enhance waste collection efficiency.
“EKSWAMA can not handle waste management alone. To address this, 12 private waste management organizations have been approved and strategically assigned to various zones to ensure doorstep waste collection. This has drastically reduced the indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
“The taskforce has been set-up to apprehend defaulters. They have started their operations and it’s a 24 hours operations. If you come out in the morning to do illegal dumping of refuse, you will be caught. If you come out in the afternoon and at night, you will be caught because it’s a 24 hours operations. When they are apprehended, they are taken to court immediately and the law takes its course.”
Onipede further disclosed that the agency has started regulating the activities of scavengers in partnership with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps adding that the governor has increased the salaries of its workers for effective service delivery.
“We have started regulating the activities of scavengers in partnership with the NSCDC. What we are doing basically is to ensure we have a comprehensive database after which we will bring them in for another meeting where we will give them a guide for their operations in Ekiti State.
“We currently have over 600 sweepers working tirelessly to keep our highways and major roads clean. As part of motivation measures, Governor Oyebanji doubled their salaries, earning him the nickname “Double-Double Governor.” Plans are in place to further increase their salaries in recognition of their dedication and commitment.”