Oyo State government, on Monday, sought the collaboration of Civil Society Organisations CSOs, in a bid to tackle the menace of improper refuse disposal and waste management in the state.

The Executive Assistant to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, who doubles as the State Focal Person on Human Capital Development, while speaking at an inaugural meeting on management of waste, welcomed all the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, and introduced the meeting as a follow up to an earlier stakeholders engagement summit.

Recognizing the development roles that the CSOs play in our society, Ogedengbe noted that the purpose of the collaboration was with a view to leveraging the networks of CSOs in Oyo State towards facilitating the development goals of the government.

The meeting was held at Mediation Center Hall, Secretariat Agodi Ibadan on Monday April 11, 2022.

He stated that although the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has made significant strides with respect to the four pillars of Education, Health, Security and Expansion of the economy, the government does not have all the resources to do everything alone hence the collaboration.

According to him, areas where the CSOs are expected to provide intervention include the facilitation of more awareness, enlightenment and educative programmes among the masses to the grassroots on better hygiene as well as waste management, saying that the success of these efforts are expected to lead to attitudinal changes among the populace.

He stated that two local governments have been selected under the pilot scheme for the collaboration. The two LGAs chosen for the purpose of waste disposal and street sweeping respectively are Akinyele and Oluyole LGAs.

The CSOs were also invited to partner with the government in its tree planting campaign, which is aimed at stemming the effects of climate change and promoting a more eco-friendly environment.

In his presentation, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Communication, Mr Dayo Ogunbowale, emphasised the need for regular radio and television programmes on the state owned television and radio stations.

He also stated the need for the release of media briefs on waste management to all media houses in the state.

On his part, Mr Alabi Moses, urged the government to have data of every activity on waste management so as to package proposals for funding.

Barrister Segun Olonade spoke on waste to cooking gas production as a means of empowering the people.

Dr. Oluwakemi Ademola Aremu noted the environmental impact of medical and other harmful wastes on health.

A five point action plan and agenda with timelines was set at the end of the meeting.

Other government functionaries that made contributions at the meeting, which was initiated by the Oyo State Human Capital Development Office, were Honourable Josiah Olufemi, the Special Assistant on Community Relations; Rev Femi Ibikunle, the Special Assistant on Interfaith, Mr. Aderogba Adedigba; Coordinating Director & Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, who represented the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Engr Afolabi; the General Manager of the Oyo State Waste Management Authority, as well as Mr Sunday Moradeyo, the Director of Forestry for the Ministry of Environment.

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