The Ekiti State Government has procured 20 sophisticated waste collection bins worth over N30m as part of plans to ensure effective waste management and cleaner environment.
The State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, while handing the equipment over to the State Waste Management Authority (EKWMA) being supervised by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Eniola Ajayi, said the waste bins make up the first phase of waste equipment which the State Government ordered for.
Governor Fayemi said the second batch of the waste management equipment which is specifically for Ado- Ekiti includes compactors and dredging machines among others.
He said the equipment was purchased in order to meet the increasing waste disposal and collection caused by the rapidly growing population of Ado- Ekiti, the State capital.
“The waste management equipment is for Ado- Ekiti which we ordered a while back as part of the consignment which include compactors and dredging machine and roller machines for the use of the Waste Management Authority. Waste collection has become a major challenge because of our growing population in the capital particularly. We are beginning to witness increased waste which necessitate intensive collection of waste, and there is no way we can rest on our oar”, he said.
While stating that government will leave no stone unturned in ensuring a healthy environment, the Governor disclosed that the next batch of the equipment will arrive before the end of June and will be distributed to areas which are not covered by the newly purchased ones.
Fayemi commended the sweepers at the Waste Management Authority for effectively discharging their duties of cleaning the city despite the huge daily waste disposal.
” This equipment will go a long in reducing the amount of waste that is left uncollected for a considerable length of time because they are bigger and easier to manipulate and are easier for the workers to get off the various places where they need to collect them. We have chosen quite strategic locations for these ones. I believe the next batch will also be here before the election. We can then distribute those to other critical segments of the metropolis. Ado is growing and it is no longer the small town of the old age, it is now a city that we should all be proud of. We should commend our sweepers who are doing such a great job of cleaning Ado Ekiti all the time because health is wealth.
“A clean environment is very critical to improved sanitation and health in our society so I want to continue to plead with you not to relent in your effort of cleaning Ekiti State in a manner that we are all proud of “, he charged.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ajayi said the State Government is expecting another batch of 22 waste bins even as the 20 new ones will be distributed to Ojumose, Oja Oba, Moferere and other strategic locations which increased waste.
Mrs Rachael Akinyede, one of the sweepers who spoke to journalists thanked the governor for not retrenching them when he came on board; saying that the Governor walks his talks.
Akinyede who urged the Governor to increase their salaries assured that the sweepers will support Fayemi to win the forthcoming election.
Last modified: June 4, 2014
