GUEST:Mr. Olasunkanmi Onipede, Director-General of Ekiti State Waste Management Agency (EKSWAMA)

FOCUS:Governor Oyebanji’s administration’s strides in waste management, environmental sustainability, and the collective responsibility of citizens in keeping Ekiti clean.

• Governor Oyebanji , upon assumption of office , doubled the salary of street sweepers, he recruited over 80 new environmental officers, he repaired 8 waste management vehicles and purchased 3 brand-new ones. Currently , 52 Dino bins have been deployed across various locations , with approval secured for another 20 to further strengthen waste collection.
• Recognizing the need for a collaborative approach, 12 private waste management organizations have been approved and assigned to different zones, significantly reducing indiscriminate waste dumping on medians and public spaces.
• The Agency currently has over 600 sweepers keeping highways clean,and Governor Oyebanji constantly motivates them by including them in the state’s empowerment programs. This is aside doubling their salary and this has earned Mr Governor the nickname “Double-Double Governor.” The Governor also have plans to further increase their wages.
• Four additional waste disposal vehicles have been paid for and are expected to be delivered within 45 days to further boost waste collection and disposal efficiency.
• To improve technical expertise in modern waste management, some agency staff recently completed training at the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), gaining hands-on experience in advanced waste disposal techniques.
• Regular fumigation of Dino bins has commenced to curb the unpleasant odors, flies, and potential health hazards associated with waste accumulation, ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.
• The state’s waste dump site has been expanded to accommodate more refuse. A facility for grinding plastic waste is already in place, and plans are in motion to make the recycling plant fully operational, a step expected to generate employment and increase state revenue.
• Efforts are ongoing to enroll sweepers and other field officers in the Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme (EKHIS), ensuring they have access to essential healthcare services.
• More local government authorities have expressed interest in adopting the state’s waste management strategies, and plans are in place to extend services to at least 10 additional local government areas before the end of the year.
• A dedicated waste enforcement task force is working 24/7 to ensure compliance with environmental laws. Surveillance teams, popularly called “cabal boys,” have been deployed to monitor activities, apprehend offenders, and prevent illegal waste dumping. Defaulters will face strict penalties.
• Roasted food vendors have been advised to stop disposing of leftover ashes and lighted charcoal into Dino bins, as this poses a serious fire hazard. Safer waste disposal alternatives must be adopted to prevent potential fire outbreaks and maintain environmental safety.

BAO

KeepingEkitiClean