While I commend His Excellency for taking this bold step in sanitizing our environment, one would expect that this announcement was preceded by the provision of waste bins and receptacles across various markets, shopping malls, health care facilities, hospitals, shopping malls, churches, mosques, stadia, car-parks, bus terminals, and other public places in our collective efforts to curb open dumping. Is it that the ones provided by Mottainai, Oyo State Waste Management Consultant during the inauguration of the Governor were ceremonial and for such purposes only ?
There is already a growing need to put up infrastructure for collection from source: recycables and non recycables. Everyone and every household should be able to Bag their waste from source, then the government should pick up as at when due. Advocacy for waste separation from source to reduce “open dumping of waste” which is theme for this year National Sanitation Day.
The ministry of environment that is expected to lead with examples is also a shadow of herself as a recent visit to their office in secretariat does not show anything to reflect strict adherence to practices that promotes sustainability, wellness and cleaniness.
Awareness, advocacy, enlightenment and proper Environmental education should go beyond organizing webinars but airing of gingles, programs centered around these issues, consistent visit to schools, market places, collaborations and partnership with relevant agencies.
May the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde succeed in his quest to reposition our state to be among the front runners of sustainable environments.
Animasaun Ajibola Idris
Co-founder @impactpassion_org
Public Affairs Analyst and Environmental enthusiast writes from Molete, Ibadan.