OYO STATE INTRODUCES DAILY ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION EXERCISE

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The Oyo State Government has launched a daily environmental sanitation monitoring and enforcement system aimed at promoting a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, made this known during a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room to mark his first 100 days in office.

He explained that the ministry has moved away from the traditional monthly sanitation exercise to a more proactive daily approach, encouraging residents to take continuous responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.

According to him, the new system is backed by consistent monitoring and enforcement by environmental health officers deployed across the state.

Aderinto said, “We are now enforcing daily environmental sanitation. Our officers are on the field every day to ensure compliance, and cleanliness must become a daily responsibility.”

To boost operations, he noted that the ministry has re-engaged 930 Environmental Vanguards, including sweepers and waste packers, and also acquired two new compactor trucks with support from Governor Seyi Makinde to improve waste collection and disposal.

He added that the expanded workforce and strategic deployment are part of efforts to strengthen enforcement and improve sanitation coverage across Oyo State.

He added that road sweepers would now operate twice daily to maintain cleaner roads across the state, and would also be enrolled in the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme to enhance their welfare.

The Ministry also unveiled the Oyo Soro Soke (Oyo SSS) Environmental Whistleblower platform, accessible via mobile applications and WhatsApp, to enable residents report environmental infractions and encourage greater community involvement in environmental governance.

In addition, the Commissioner revealed that the Ministry has enhanced its operational capacity by introducing a pioneering waste segregation system across government offices, while also initiating public-private partnerships for the development of modern public toilet facilities.

Aderinto expressed appreciation to the Governor for the opportunity to serve, assuring that the trust placed in him would be justified. He also commended members of the Executive Council for their inter-ministerial cooperation, as well as the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, for his support.

He further highlighted improved media engagement efforts, including regular press briefings and public advisories on environmental and public health concerns such as flooding, heat waves, cholera, and Lassa fever.

According to him, the Ministry has also introduced a regulated framework for charcoal production, marked World Earth Day with tree planting activities, intensified campaigns against open defecation, and strengthened disease prevention measures through inspections and environmental monitoring, assuring that these initiatives would be sustained and expanded.

“The future of the environment in Oyo State is promising. The progress recorded in the last 100 days is just the start,” Aderinto said.