The Oyo State Government has urged waste contractors to be duly registered with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, as every unauthorized consultant would be fished out and sanctioned according to Oyo State Environmental laws.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Arc. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, revealed this during a meeting with the waste consultants in Ibadan.
He urged them to regularize their triennial and monthly technical reports, like Environmental Audit Reports and the Environmental Impact Assessment report with required standards.
Mogbonjubola called on the consultants otherwise known as Accredited Franchisees, to harmonize all regulators’ policies, relating to adequate registration.
He also stated that the government will punish anyone found to be responsible for environmental pollution and degradation, whether through emissions, liquid, solid, or gaseous wastes.
Mogbonjubola stated that the current administration is working around the clock to reposition and strengthen the cleanliness of the country’s environment to an enviable position.
This, he said, has prompted the administration to embark on a serious crusade, which has led to the invitation of all environmental consultants in the State, for interactions over their expected roles, adherence to rules of engagements and compliance.
Mogbonjubola assured of the State government’s readiness to play its part at ensuring all stakeholders are carried along and sensitised in the proactive drive towards a sustainable healthy environment.
The Commissioner explained that the invitation and sensitization of the Environmental Consultants is important prior to enforcement by Government officials.
He added that the law has given the Ministry powers to monitor compliance, enforce and sanction culprit of environmental pollution and degradation, either of emissions, liquid, solid or gaseous wastes.
He emphasized that the Oyo State Government is not out witch-hunting any individual, corporate organizations or groups, but rather to ensure the replenishment of all potential impact of activities on the environment.
“We need a better and sane society, a beneficial relationship and a system where laws are strictly adhered to. Your proactive steps determine the level of compliance by companies and industries”. Mogbonjubola stated
The Oyo State Government through the ministry had engaged about Two Hundred Agro-Allied, Chemical, Construction Companies, Quarries and other industrial facilities in the State, on mutual collaborations, and expecteS roles, towards general cleanliness of their working premises, waste management, storage, operational health and safety of workers.