BENIN CITY: The Edo State Government has issued a one-week ultimatum to accredited waste managers to clear refuse from the streets of Benin City and neighbouring local government areas.
The directive was issued on Thursday by the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Edo State Environmental Taskforce, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, Idahosa warned that operators who fail to comply would face sanctions, including withdrawal of their accreditation.
He said the move aligns with the Clean Edo initiative under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which seeks to promote a cleaner, healthier environment across the state.
According to the deputy governor, waste managers, particularly in Edo South, must immediately fulfil their obligations or risk losing their operating licences at both state and local government levels.
The Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Barrister Nosa Adams, said indiscriminate disposal of solid and liquid waste would no longer be tolerated, adding that industries must comply strictly with approved waste disposal standards to protect public health.
Chairman of the Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi, said the directive reflected the government’s renewed commitment to environmental sanitation.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Gabriel Iduseri, warned residents against dumping refuse in drainages and urged households to patronise only accredited waste managers.
Representatives of the waste managers, however, identified non-payment by households and poor registration as major challenges affecting effective service delivery.
