By Dipo Olowookere
The contract between the Oyo State government and all private waste collectors in the state has been terminated, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, has disclosed.
Instead, the Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA) will now have the responsibility of waste collection in the state in line with its commitment to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment.
Equally, the government said that it has commissioned WestAfricaENRG, a leading environmental solutions company in Nigeria, to manage OYOWMA and also take care of the full operational and legal duties of OYOWMA in the state.
Mr Arulogun disclosed last Thursday that the contract with the private waste contractors became null and void from May 5, 2017.
He explained that the management of OYOWMA was changed under the Public Private Partnership Laws, adding that the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources will still take a key role in the regulation and oversight functions of solid waste disposal issues within the state along with other duties.
He further noted that WestAfricaENRG has been tasked to undertake a whole scale re-organisation of waste collection, processing and disposal in the state, starting with the upgrading and capacity building of all waste collection contractors, stressing “this to increase job opportunities and the cleanliness of Oyo State. We still have an issue with public enlightenment and compliance and we are working tirelessly to achieve this.”
According to him, “soon, an Expression of Interest will be published nationally for those with the relevant experience and capacity to apply for contacts in Oyo State. Until this is finalized, OYOWMA has full responsibility for the collection of waste.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Aduragbemi Omiyale