As the world commemorates this year's World Environment Day, the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has urged residents to maintain clean surroundings and refrain from indiscriminate refuse dumping in public areas. The call was made by the Special Adviser to the Governor and Managing Director of OGWAMA, Hon. Farouk Akintunde, during his address on proper waste disposal practices as part of the 2026 World Environment Day activities.
Akintunde emphasized that indiscriminate waste disposal in public and unauthorized locations creates an unhealthy and unsightly environment, endangering public safety and hindering economic growth. He encouraged residents to cultivate proper waste disposal habits by utilizing Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators assigned to their communities, ensuring efficient and affordable waste collection.
He warned against nighttime dumping along medians, roadsides, and other public spaces, stating that such practices mar the state's aesthetic appeal. “Ogun State residents are known as clean and fun-loving people. We should not allow a few individuals to dent our pride through such untoward behaviour. When we see people dumping waste indiscriminately, we should speak up,” he said.
Akintunde added that OGWAMA would continue its sensitization and advocacy efforts to promote responsible waste management, urging residents to containerize their waste properly for easy collection by accredited PSP operators. He also cautioned industries in the state against patronizing illegal waste collectors, warning that enforcement measures would be taken against defaulters.
“For industries domiciled in the state, I want to remind them of the need to allow government-accredited PSP operators to carry out their statutory duties. Any attempt to patronize illegal operators will attract sanctions when caught by our enforcement team,” he stated.
Furthermore, Akintunde disclosed that OGWAMA would intensify enforcement activities across the state to ensure a clean, safe, and healthy environment for all residents.
