Ibadan,the second most populous city in Africa behind Cairo is a home to a population of about 3,000,000 people. Standing at Bere Mapo area, one cannot but notice a canopy of brown roofs which is a feature of its undulating terrain.
However, one of the environmental concerns in the city is the solid waste management. Indiscrimnate dumping of refuse on the roads and the inefficient collection system. Sometimes one wonders if the people manufacture solid wastes overnight.
During the Ladoja/Akala Administration efforts were made at cleaning up the city. Small trucks were used and private enterprises were engaged. Infact the administration of Akala purchased new special waste collector trucks painted white.
When the administration of Ajimobi came onboard, they embarked on a comprehensive city clean up and reorganization but lacked the political will to see it through.
Meanwhile unwittingly, a culture developed during the past administration where people use road median as dumpsite for solid waste. This has now become so pervasive to the extent that you will hardly see a median without waste. The city roads are decorated with solid waste.
There are no dustbins or dumpsters on the road for public use. Waste collectors have been working tirelessly to collect these wastes but usually leave debris behind in the process.
The new administration of Gov Seyi Makinde needs to prioritise the city clean up. These are low hanging fruits. Although government is reviewing all existing contracts to improving waste management but immediate clean up is urgently required.
For the government effort to have significant impact, the administration should reevaluate the waste stream with a view to changing the culture.
The following should be considered:
1. Provisioning of dumpster: The government should make it a policy that every bus stop, market place and specified kilometers should have public refuse containers. Smart and effective dumpster can be designed and carefully installed round the city
2. The dumpster and garbage containers should be constructed by local welders/manufacturers in line with the approved design that fits waste collection truck. This will further stimulate the state’s economy and save government’s fund.
3. Government should get better and more efficient waste collection truck that can easily lift dumpster constructed by approved local welders/manufacturers. The process of picking and dumping should be automated by the collection truck.
4. Private Waste Management Enterprises should be engaged in managing domestic wastes and refuse collection. All report reviews and contracts issues should be expedited.
5. Government needs to embark on public education and awareness. Local governments, landlord associations, NURTW, market leaders, religious bodies, schools and organizations should be engaged. Everyone has a duty of care to ensuring proper waste stream management that does not constitute public health concerns.
6. Government should establish Operation Kick Against Indiscipline Enforcement Agency. They are to ensure that waste management policy of the government is enforced and anyone caught dumping refuse at the median section of roads is disciplined. They must be ready to patrol at night as most solid waste are dumped overnight.
7. Lastly the government should seek local and foreign investments in waste management and conversion. These wastes can be processed and recycled.
We can change the culture in the city of Ibadan to that of cleanliness and sustainable development.
Bello Banke
November 17, 2019 at 6:05 amReasonable points you’ve made here sir. How i wish the governor sees it all and act fast cause the situation is becoming unbearable. More grace!
Abiodun Odewale
November 17, 2019 at 8:36 amGood write-up and excellent contribution!
Ibukun Ayandiran
November 17, 2019 at 12:32 pmPublic education and awareness is needed. Oyo state Waste Management Agency right from the days of Akala have been working like LASEPA but just like your 1st point the governments lacked political will. And what is that political will ability to offend a lot of people by criminalizing dumping of refuse on the main road or anywhere in the state. There is a levy of 1500naira monthly for house to house dirts evacuation, what I noticed is even areas where trucks can get to people still prefer to dump their garbage on the road…challenge/ring road area is a major example here.
Once the government can provide all the necessary amenities needed to have effective waste management then there should be fine for indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
Adeolu Adelodun
November 22, 2019 at 8:10 pmI agree. The awareness level in the state is low or even non existent. The ministry in charge of environment should do better at educating the people even as they work out a sustainable solution. Education and awareness is key to changing people’s orientation and culture
Ibukun Ayandiran
November 17, 2019 at 12:34 pmThe dumpsters should be provided for areas where waste trucks cannot access. While areas that truck can get to payment for waste evacuation must be made mandatory and compulsory
Adeolu Adelodun
November 22, 2019 at 8:08 pmVery well said.
Ibukun Ayandiran
November 17, 2019 at 12:34 pmIf there is an agency that that has gotten right in the past and still doing well in Waste Management it is LASEPA and they don’t even work like every other government agencies. They have professionals working there. We can really copy with pride what they are doing
Ibukun Ayandiran
November 17, 2019 at 12:36 pmBut I think we need to start from our various houses…how do we treat our wastes at home? The people that are dumping on the road side are even better than those waiting for rain to start so that can empty into the drainage
Oladipo Olatilewa
November 17, 2019 at 3:58 pmThe problem of waste on Ibadan seems to have made the past govt look clueless. Everywhere you go in the city, you are greeted with stench and foul smell.
I like your suggestion of enjoying local fabricators in the city. If only they would listen.
The present govt should find a lasting solution to the problem. The 2nd largest city in Africa painted with dirts.
Oladipo Olatilewa
November 17, 2019 at 4:03 pmAwareness of proper waste disposal is very crucial too. We the citizens needs to be made aware of dangers of improper waste disposal to every facets 9f our lives.
Also, govt should ensure that they do all possible to ensure waste are picked up at the right time. On my street, it took the waste collectors over a month to come collect waste. The whole street was stench. This ugly incident can make people dispose waste indiscriminately.
Adeolu Adelodun
November 22, 2019 at 8:07 pmWell said sir.
Dele Olafimihan
November 18, 2019 at 4:35 pmI once proposed the PPP solution to someone within the ministry of works many years ago, before seeing the model in Lagos…. his discouraging remark to the idea was “government will owe” and kill your business… coz I wanted to do a pilot launch with one truck. So ibadan is in this state coz of the administration’s attitude to this situation. All your points are feasible if committed to, and it begins from our homes. I’ve been incineration refuse since I got to ibadan in my dad’s backyard by the way…lol
Adeolu Adelodun
November 22, 2019 at 8:07 pmI agree that on our part, we should be mindful of how we generate and manage waste. We should also sensitize our community to be responsible towards waste management. And I hope the government acts in time and implements a sustainable solution.