Makinde Commissions Awotan Landfill, Unveils Waste Trucks for Clean and Green Initiative
Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, commissioned Awotan dumpsite that was just rehabilitated and upgraded into a landfill.
At the event held at the Awotan landfill premises, along Apete-Awotan-Akufo road, governor Makinde also unveiled waste trucks for the use of the recently launched New Solid Waste Management Architecture in the state, which is tagged “Clean and Green Initiative.”
In his address, governor Makinde explained that with the rehabilitation of the dumpsite into a landfill, the state government has engaged additional 500 registered waste companies to collect refuse in the state in a bid to ensure a clean and safe environment for all and sundry.
While unveiling the waste trucks for the use of the Clean and green initiative of the state government, the governor maintained that waste has become gold in Oyo state as the waste contractors will be paid per kilogram of refuse they disposed of.
His words:
“When we were confronted with the issue of waste in Oyo State, we had two main choices. One, a quick fix, which could have happened sooner or a more complex and far-reaching solution, which will take some time. As you can see, the video clip we just watched is quite complex.
“The quick fix would have just meant that we are just kicking the ball further down the road. Sometime in the future, we will, again, be confronted with the issue of waste disposal. Maybe then, it will be another administration to deal with it but we would have gone away with the tag of ‘Architect of modern Oyo State’.
“One, those who live near this dumpsite, the nearest settlement is just about 200 meters away from where we are right now, would have had to continue dealing with their groundwater contamination and their water will have remained unsafe for them to drink. The Baale of Awotan has asked us to fix the health centre here and I want to assure you that we will do it. We already put a plan in place to have one standard health care facility in every ward in Oyo State and we will have 351 of them.
“Secondly, they would have continued to live with the stench coming from this dumpsite. The multiplier effect is that those who have properties for rent around here would have a hard time letting them out and, of course, I have spoken about the health implications as well.
“As a matter of fact, when I met some people here, they said they abandoned their houses here and relocated to the city but, the good news is, they are coming back now.
“I want to acknowledge the immense contribution of our late compatriot, late Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola. He did all the planning and groundwork to make sure that this project turns out as it is today. May the good Lord continually be with his family. Let me also thank the current Commissioner for Environment, Barrister Idowu Oyeleke, for seeing the project to a logical conclusion.
“So, as I said earlier, we decided on the second option. Yes, it took more time, which meant that people complain about refuse disposal for a little longer but we knew that when we accomplish what we set out to accomplish here, the result will be glaring to all. We are standing on the ground now and we can see everywhere. So, apart from this environment, the total rehabilitation of this landfill resulted in engaging over 500 registered private companies in refuse collection. Each of those companies will employ at least a driver, a number of packers and others. If you multiply six by five hundred it will give you 3,000 direct jobs.
“Also, about 50 people worked here as scavengers and I don’t think they will continue to scavenge again because there will be a rise in their take-home. They will be staying here now and those who need whatever they separate will have to come down and buy from them here.
“So, these individuals who worked on this project; contractor and others, we appreciate it and the resultant effect is that we have more funds into the Oyo State’s economy. Now that the site is completed, what is next? The benefit of upgrading this dumpsite is immense. We are all breathing easily right now.
“The last time we came here, we discovered that access will be a challenge. We had to look for an alternative route. The Apete-Awotan road is less than 1,500 metres and once you pass this place further down to Akufo junction, the traffic will be less. So, in less than six to 8 weeks, the problem of access to this place will have been completely solved. And another added sweetener is there is methane gas under here, which will be converted to electricity that will in turn be used to install street light around here. We will provide the street light and this place will provide the gas that will be used to generate electricity for that purpose.
“Finally, we will have less refuse on our streets because the contractors will be paid per kilogram of debris they bring here. It means anyone that did not collect waste will not get paid.
“Of course, knowing how much each of the registered companies spend acquiring the trucks and other equipment to work with, they will want to recoup their investment. So, they will keep going out to pick up the waste. Suddenly, the waste is now like Gold. This, of course, will translate to economic benefit to Oyo State.
“The more refuse we get here also the better for our waste to wealth initiative. Apart from the gas, some came and said they can convert the waste to fertilizer. So, we will encourage them. If there is an access road to get here to come and do what they have proposed, it is also for the benefit of the residents here.
“So, you can see that the Clean and Green is a total municipal waste system solution.”
In his remarks, the state commissioner for environment and natural resources, Dr. Idowu Oyeleke, stressed that the Awotan landfill is the first of its kind in Oyo state, noting that the landfill will generate hundreds of direct employment.
He, however, said the upon the completion of the Awotan landfill, the contractor in charge of the project will be mobilized to Ajakanga dumpsite located along Challenge road in Oluyole local government area of Oyo State, in a bid to reciprocate what he did at Awotan and upgrade the Ajakanga dumpsite into a landfill.
While appreciating the Oyo state government for the rehabilitation of the old Awotan dumpsite into a landfill, the Baale of Awotan, chief Dauda Omotosho, on behalf of the people of the area, acknowledged the dividend of democracy which they enjoined through the leadership of governor Seyi Makinde.
