Rainy Season: Obaseki Cautions On Indiscriminate Waste Disposal

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has cautioned residents of the state against indiscriminate waste disposal, calling on stakeholders to join in government’s efforts to rid the state of waste, especially during the rainy season.

In a statement, Obaseki said it was pertinent to draw attention to the role of private citizens and civil society organisations as well as other interest groups in ensuring a clean, serene environment for human habitation and doing business.

According to him, “With the coming of the rainy season, it is important to stress the role of the people in ensuring a clean environment and that they properly dispose of waste so as not to clog waterways, streets and other parts of major cities and towns in the state.”

He noted that several government agencies have been leading the campaign against indiscriminate waste disposal, and it behooves on residents in the state to play their role.

“The Waste Management Board and officials of the Project Clean Up Edo have been on the campaign trail, calling on Edo people to properly dispose of their waste as provision has been made for onward disposal through appropriate channels,” he said.

He continued, “With increased rainfall, it is important for market leaders, opinion leaders and other influencers to impress on their people to comply with the arrangements put in place by the state government, to minimise incident of flooding and other such man-made problems.”

Noting that changes in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability and the Waste Management Board are intended to put a lease of life in waste management in the state, he said that the state government will not relent until the state is rid of debris and other forms of waste, and would not hesitate to punish erring residents who flout extant laws and policies on waste disposal.

Meanwhile, in a Press Release by the Special Adviser, Media and Communication Strategy Edo State Government, Mr. Crusoe Osagie says, the removal of illegal structures across the state is not targeted at any individual or group .

The statement read, “The Edo State government is removing illegal structures, billboards, posters, pictures because they run foul of the development imperatives of the state which is captured under the Environmental Sustainability thrust of the state’s Six Thematic Pillars.

”It is disruptive of anybody to place structures without due approval from relevant government agencies, upsetting development plans for public utilities and other social amenities. Government has a well-thought-out plan for the state and no one is allowed to arbitrarily erect structures contrary to government’s vision.”

”This decision is not targeted at any individual or group. The structures, billboards and posters being removed do not only deface public space, they also are not approved by relevant regulatory agencies”, the statement added.