The Edo State Waste Management Board announced on Friday that it has apprehended and prosecuted over 160 defaulters for improper waste disposal, while also implementing concrete measures to curb indiscriminate refuse disposal across the state.
The Managing Director of the board, Lucky Inegbenehi, disclosed this in Benin, stating that offenders were sentenced to community service or fined in accordance with the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Inegbenehi revealed that the board has procured state-of-the-art waste disposal equipment, including tippers, payloaders and tractors, to address challenges in the sector.
However, he attributed inefficiencies in waste management to the failure of some waste managers, adding that 13 contracts have already been terminated, with 37 more under review for possible disengagement.
He noted that upon assuming office, major roads such as Benin-Auchi and Benin-Agbor, as well as various markets across the state were littered with heaps of refuse, which have since been cleared.
Commending the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, for granting the board autonomy to execute its mandate, Inegbenehi said, “On assumption of office, we have been able to reverse the bad situation we met on the ground. We have purchased tippers, tractors, and payloaders. We also realised that the state was very dirty. For example, Agbor Road from Christ Chosen Church down to the bypass had heaps of waste.
“But in January, we swung into action and deployed our pay loaders and tippers to the same road. Also, in the Benin-Auchi road bypass and Benin-Agbor road, as we speak, these places are clean. We have been able to evacuate the sand that had taken over the roads.”
Highlighting efforts to enforce sanitation laws, he stated, “The board has apprehended and prosecuted over 160 defaulters in less than three months, and we have put in place concrete measures against indiscriminate disposal of refuse in the state.”
Addressing waste management in markets, he explained that while markets fall under local government authorities, the board has taken proactive steps to support refuse evacuation.
He noted, “Markets are under the local government areas and communities. Since markets are not directly under us, but in line with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s vision to make Edo clean, we approached the waste managers and gave them subsidies and palliatives for refuse evacuation. With this support, the markets are now cleaned on a daily basis.”
To further curb indiscriminate refuse disposal, Inegbenehi disclosed that the agency has deployed roving teams with cameras at black spots across the city as early as 2 a.m. to apprehend and prosecute offenders.
He also announced plans for a partnership with experts from India to establish a waste recycling plant in Edo State.
