Ogun sanctions 128 residents, firms for improper waste disposal

The Ogun State Waste Management Authority has sanctioned 128 residents and 20 industries for disposing of waste indiscriminately across the state.

The residents, who were sentenced to hours of community services, committed the environmental offences in Sango-Ota, Ifo, Ijebu-Ode, Papa lanto and Abeokuta as they were caught disposing of their wastes on median and public places, while the industries were equally sanctioned after their trucks were caught disposing of wastes on road verges along the Lagos-Ibadan and Sagamu-Abeokuta expressways.

This is according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Abayomi Hunye.

Hunye explained that the residents and trucks of the industries were apprehended by the authority’s Enforcement Squad in the wee hours of Tuesday while committing the acts, contrary to the state environment laws.

What is of concern is the fact that those apprehended were deliberately determined to sabotage the state government’s efforts at keeping the state clean at all times, as it was discovered that they refused to patronise the government-approved waste collectors in their communities and their companies for no just cause.

“Their attitude is not just an affront to lawful government orders but deliberately endangers 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 SA said.

Hunye noted that the enforcement team would continue to monitor the roadside and public places to apprehend offenders.