The Oyo State Government has introduced a daily environmental sanitation exercise monitoring and enforcement system to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.
Mr. Ademola Aderinto, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, disclosed this during a press conference in Ibadan on Tuesday to mark his first 100 days in office.
Aderinto explained that the Ministry has shifted from the traditional monthly environmental sanitation exercise to a more proactive daily system that encourages residents to take personal responsibility for maintaining cleanliness.
He noted that the exercise would be monitored and enforced by environmental health officers.
“We are now enforcing daily environmental sanitation. Our officers will be on the field every day to ensure compliance. Cleanliness must become a daily responsibility,” he said.
To strengthen operations, the commissioner disclosed that the Ministry has re-engaged 930 environmental vanguards, sweepers, and waste packers. He added that the Ministry, with the support of Governor Seyi Makinde, procured two brand new compactor trucks to enhance waste evacuation.
Highlighting the Ministry’s achievements, Aderinto said it has expanded its impact through strategic workforce deployment and innovation. The 930 environmental personnel have been strategically deployed to improve enforcement and sanitation coverage across the state.
He said sweepers would now work twice daily to ensure cleaner roads, and would henceforth be enrolled in the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme.
“The Ministry also launched ‘Oyo Soro Soke (Oyo SSS)’, an Environmental Whistleblower platform accessible via mobile applications and WhatsApp. This empowers residents to report violations and promotes community participation in environmental governance,” he said.
“In addition, the Ministry strengthened its operational capacity by introducing a first-of-its-kind waste segregation system across government offices and initiated Public-Private Partnerships for the construction of modern public toilets,” Aderinto added.
The commissioner expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde for the opportunity to serve, assuring that the confidence reposed in him would not be misplaced. He also appreciated members of the Executive Council for their strong inter-ministerial collaboration and commended the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, for his support.
Highlighting other achievements, Aderinto noted improved media engagement through regular press conferences and public advisories on issues such as flooding, heat waves, cholera, and Lassa fever. He added that the Ministry has regulated charcoal production through a structured framework and intensified efforts to end open defecation.
Aderinto assured residents that the Ministry would sustain and build on these gains.
“The future of our environment in Oyo State is bright. What we have achieved in 100 days is only the beginning,” he said.
