The Oyo State Government and its authorized waste management consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd, recently launched a recycling hub in Ojoo terminal, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Environment, Akinyele Local Government, Mrs. Ahmed B.D., said the initiative was aimed at raising awareness among traders, market women, and the general public about climate change.
She stressed the hazards and consequences of indiscriminate waste disposal and other undesirable waste management practices.
Mrs. Ahmed also encouraged market women to practice waste sorting and refrain from disposing of waste on the median.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Oluwaseun Fasuhanmi said the initiative arose from a sincere desire to ensure the pristine cleanliness of Oyo State, adding that the unveiling was part of activities to commemorate World Cleanup Day 2023.
She said the hub is the second to be rolled out in the State, adding that it was first unveiled at Iseyin Local Government, a few months ago.
Ms. Fasuhanmi said it is driven by an admirable aspiration to inspire individuals to adopt transformative lifestyle choices that harmonize with our environment.
Fasuhanmi emphasized the profound significance of waste management, portraying it as a shared responsibility that unites us all in the noble pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future.
Also, the Chief Sustainability Officer, Ms. Deborah Fadeyi, stated that the World Cleanup Day event held at Ojoo Market was a unique endeavor.
She added that the introduction of the innovative hub is poised to empower the youth and educate market users on the art of converting waste into valuable resources, thereby unlocking the potential for wealth creation.
She said the initiative will bring waste infrastructure closer to the people so that there is no excuse to dump on the median and water channels to ensure proper flood management, particularly in the rainy season.
“The hub is aimed to promote a sustainable environment, create jobs and empower the people of Ojo community to adopt recycling as an effective waste management practice with some financial reward, with the potential to support a movement of environmentally conscious residents”, she said.
By the end of this initiative, approximately 2,000 kilograms of recyclables, including plastic, cartons, and aluminum cans, were successfully collected, in collaboration with volunteers and other stakeholders.
The event was witnessed by representatives from the Ministry of Environment along with their Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) from the Akinyele local government, Youth Corps Members, Mottainai Ambassadors, and volunteers from various NGOs.
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