Dare Babalola
The Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has apprehended and sanctioned 128 residents and 20 industries for indiscriminate waste disposal across the state.
The offenders were caught disposing of waste on medians, public places, and road verges, and have been sentenced to community service.
Confirming this, the Special Adviser and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Hon. Abayomi Hunye, said the residents and industries deliberately refused to patronise government-approved waste collectors, endangering the health and safety of others.
The residents were sentenced to hours of community services for committing environmental offenses in Sango-Ota, Ifo, Ijebu-Ode, Papa lanto and Abeokuta axis of the state.
Hunye assured that the authority’s enforcement team will continue to monitor and apprehend recalcitrant residents and industries, particularly during the rainy season when improper waste disposal can lead to flooding and water contamination.
He added, “Their attitude is not just an affront to lawful government orders but deliberately endangering the health and safety of other law-abiding residents of the state who have imbibed the spirit of proper waste disposal and management for a cleaner, healthier and safer environment.”
The authority commended law-abiding residents and industries that properly manage and dispose of their waste. OGWAMA also announced plans to launch its “Blue Box Initiative,” which will allow residents to exchange plastic, paper, and iron waste for revenue.
