The Oyo State Ministry of Environment, under the leadership of Barr. Nurudeen Ashamu Seun TNA, is showing no signs of relenting in its mission to make Oyo State clean and healthy. In recent days, the ministry has stepped up enforcement against residents who engage in illegal waste disposal, especially dumping refuse on road medians, an act that has been described as both unacceptable and unlawful.
Just a few days ago, ministry officials were spotted clearing heaps of waste left on the medians by some residents. This action followed a recent publication by the Oyo State Government condemning the illegal dumping of waste and the act of open defecation. The government expressed deep dissatisfaction with these practices and vowed to fine or prosecute offenders in line with environmental laws.
The need for proactive measures to change the mindset of residents on proper waste disposal has never been more urgent. Disposing waste on road medians or in unauthorized locations is a criminal offense under Oyo State’s environmental regulations. The government has placed waste bins at strategic points, particularly across major markets, and has also encouraged households to register with licensed private waste collectors instead of resorting to indiscriminate dumping or throwing refuse into rivers , a practice that can lead to flooding and other environmental hazards.
Despite repeated warnings and sensitization campaigns by the Ministry of Environment, a recent enforcement operation by the state’s environmental task force led to the arrest of no fewer than 20 individuals caught disposing waste illegally, mostly at night or in the early hours of the morning. This raises the question: are residents genuinely unaware of the law, or are they simply indifferent to the environmental consequences of their actions?
From direct observation during my involvement with the task force, it is clear that the government is working tirelessly day and night to ensure Oyo State remains clean. Waste bins have been provided, licensed private collectors are in operation, and continuous awareness campaigns are being carried out. What is needed now is a collective change of attitude from residents to complement the government’s efforts, because cleanliness, after all, is everyone’s responsibility.
