The Oyo Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, said 120 private waste collectors had been engaged for door-to-door evacuation of waste across the state.
This is contained in a statement by Olatunbosun on Sunday in Ibadan.
He said that the 120 waste collectors would work with the new waste management consultant , Mottainai Recycling Ltd, to keep all nook and cranny cleaned.
The commissioner said that the new ‘Zero Waste Zero Budget Initiative,’ driven by the consultant, “is aimed at bringing genuine private sector participants into the sector.
“This initiative will relieve the government of the huge burden in wastes management of the state.
“The state government didn’t embark on a solo operation, as adequate consultation was made with Private Sector Participants (PSPs) and other stakeholders before the private wastes collectors were asked to reapply,” he said.
The commissioner said the newly verified waste collectors would commence work before the end of August.
Olatunbosun added that the services of the private wastes collectors would augment the work already being done by ‘Mottainai Recycling’ in mopping up the road medians.
He urged them to be ready for work and set aside any misgivings, assuring them of government’s support to achieve a cleaner Oyo State.
“We want to reassure residents of Oyo State that the new waste consultant is an experienced waste manager.
“With the recently verified PSPs, they will consolidate the state government’s waste management architecture,” the commissioner said.