One hundred and twenty private garbage collectors have been validated, according to the Oyo State Government, who also said that they will collaborate with the new waste management consultant.
This was disclosed During a live broadcast on a radio station in Ibadan, by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun.
Olatubosun contended that the new Zero Waste Zero Budget Initiative was prompted by the need to attract real PSPs to the industry and alleviate the government of the enormous burden associated with the State’s waste management.
Dr. Olatubosun said that the Oyo State Government did not act alone because sufficient engagement with other stakeholders, including Private Sector Participants (PSPs), was conducted before the PSPs were requested to reapply.
“Before embarking on this verification process, the State government consulted all PSPs”, he said.
Olatubosun continued by stating that to supplement the work currently being done in cleaning up the medians, the newly confirmed waste collectors will start doing door-to-door waste collection and evacuation across the state this month.
Olatubosun added that this new development proves there is no dispute between the State Government and PSPs on the implementation of the Zero Waste Zero Budget Initiative.
The State Government had just three months earlier cancelled the contracts of PSPs in the state, claiming that the majority of them lacked the capacity to manage the trash produced there, he said.
Olatubosun said: “We want to reassure you that the new waste consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd, is an experienced waste manager. With the recently verified PSPs, they will consolidate the Oyo State Government’s waste management architecture. Everybody must work together to keep Oyo State clean.”
The Commissioner further asserted that the new policy is aimed at managing, protecting and sustaining development of Oyo State waste and landfill sector.
Olatubosun therefore urged the verified waste collectors to be ready for work and set aside any misgivings, assuring them of Government’s support to achieve a cleaner Oyo State.
