Kwara State Government Takes Action to Combat Indiscriminate Refuse Dumping in Ilorin Metropolis, spells out strategies
In a bid to combat the growing problem of indiscriminate refuse dumping in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State Governor Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq has given the Ministry of Environment mandate and necessary support to deliver and maintain a clean and green environment.
The governor’s efforts in ensuring Kwara is clean and healthy was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Environment Buge during a press briefing held at the ministry’s conference hall
Hon. Buge announced the penalties for offenders, which range from a minimum of two hundred and fifty (N250,000) and above, depending on the severity of the crime, revealed a six-month jail term would be imposed for another offense.
The newly established task force, which was inaugurated during the conference, will operate around the clock, working 24 hours a day with three shifts: morning, afternoon, and evening. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency and ensure constant vigilance in addressing the challenges at hand.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Ilorin Emirates Development Progressive Union (IEDPU), Alhaji Musa Nuru expressed his admiration for the progressive initiative taken by the Kwara State Government, assured government of the people’s total compliance with the newly implemented measures.
Buge however spelled out some of the new strategies to include;
It is illegal to dump refuse on road medians, road dividers, roundabouts, gutters, drainage channels, and waterways.
Anybody caught displaying wares/goods beyond the gutter on the roadside for trading activities will be penalized.
The Ministry, with immediate effect, will remove the larger roll-roll (waste) bins from the roadside or roundabouts and place them in secure locations where they will not impede vehicular movement.
Waste bins have been placed at different collection points for proper disposal of refuse, which will be transported to the final dump site.
* We have also put in place a well-organized system to evacuate refuse from collection points within 24 hours.
Scavenging is no longer allowed in the metropolis. All previously registered scavengers are advised to conduct their business at the government dump site at Sokoto-Aiyekale off the Expressway.
We have engaged 38 Commercial Waste Consultants and allocated them to different communities to collect refuse. Members of the public are expected to pay a monthly token or dump their refuse in government mobile collection vans/vehicles whenever they come to their community.
The Ministry will provide medium-sized “Waste Collection bins” for shop owners and households for proper disposal of refuse.
The ministry also inaugurated its 300 Task Force officers to enforce compliance with the new strategies. And enable the general public to cooperate with the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in its bid to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse and encroachment on roads for the sustenance of a cleaner and better Kwara