The new Kwara Commissioner for Environment, Mrs. Remilekun Banigbe, has urged residents to imbibe and practice proper waste management to prevent epidemics.
The commissioner made the appeal on Thursday in Ilorin while touring some parts of the metropolis to call on the people to intensify their effort to ensure a clean state.
Banigbe urged market leaders to dialogue with traders to create space where the new waste bin would be placed in the market for easy access.
She stressed the need to maintain road setbacks in all marketplaces to avoid accidents and roadblocks.
“The waste bins placed at strategic places in market areas should be maintained adequately to avert any damage,” she said.
The commissioner emphasized that the bins were for the betterment of the populace, saying that government will continue to enlighten the people on adequate waste management schemes.
Banigbe however warned that her next visit to the market would be based on enforcing the environmental laws where violators would be arrested and prosecuted.
She promised prompt evacuation of refuse to curb the nuisance that it might constitute.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by the Deputy Director and health officers in the ministry, also monitored the activities of the waste contractors to check the effectiveness of their duties in packing refuse.
Banigbe stated that the monthly sanitation to be held on April 30, would not be very strict and assured that people could go about their normal activities.
She explained that the relaxation was due to the preparation for the upcoming Sallah celebration, but warned the people to ensure that their surroundings are kept clean.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that places visited during the tour include Emir’s market (Oja-Oba), Sango market, New market (Oja tuntun), and Mandate market all within the Ilorin metropolis.