The Oyo State Government has phased out large waste bins placed along major roads and marketplaces as part of efforts to improve the state’s image.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Ademola Aderinto, made this known on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Oyo SSS (Oyo Sọrọ Soke S’ita) whistle-blower scheme in Oluyole Local Government Area.
Aderinto said the bins, which are emptied daily at a cost running into millions of naira, had become a permanent eyesore.
“It is not befitting of our image. The money spent evacuating them could fund infrastructural development, health, and education,” he said.
The commissioner added that the new initiative would reward anyone who reports indiscriminate refuse dumping with one-fifth of the offender’s fine, which carries a minimum of ₦50,000.
“Reports will be treated anonymously but must be backed by concrete evidence. Sanctions include fines, community service, and imprisonment,” Aderinto said.
Also speaking, Mr Adetunji Lam-Adesina, Chief Executive Officer of Alluvia Unique Concept and Consultant on Waste Management System in Oluyole Local Government Area, said the scheme could be likened to community policing, but focused on sanitation.
“If we don’t want things to deteriorate further, we should take this seriously.
“Without a clean and tidy environment, we are jeopardising many things—our health and socio-economic activities. Investors will not come.
“As pacesetters, we should lead by example. Ibadan is a major city, and we should be able to live by global standards.
“It is just like community policing. People should ensure their neighbours are doing the right thing by reporting to the government, and the whistleblower will remain anonymous.
“Everyone who decides to be a whistleblower can be guaranteed safety,” Lam-Adesina said.
He called for collective efforts to ensure a clean and safe environment in Oyo State.
Also, Chief Adeyemi Ojo, Chairman of the Community Development Committee, Oluyole LGA, and Mr Saheed Bayonle Ayedade, Agric Supervisor in the LGA, urged residents to take ownership of maintaining a cleaner environment.
