Expert Declares: There's nothing like waste, let’s take ownership of its generation, recycling – Agbateyiniro

The Director In-Charge of Centre for Waste Management and Sustainability Resources, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, FUPRE, Dr. Ogunkeyede Olufemi Akinyemi, says waste is a physiological language and there's nothing like waste in actual sense, even as the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area in Delta State, Comr. Agbateyiniro Oritseweyinmi Isaac, has stressed the need for residents of Warri South to take ownership of waste generation, collection, disposal and recycling.

L-R: Ndobu Grace Chukwufumanya, Sanitarian Mode Augustine, Dr. Ogunkeyede Olufemi Akinyemi, Oisemaye Kehinde & Sanitarian Alaka Matthew

Fresh Angle International, can report that Dr.  Akinyemi, made the assertion in Warri, Thursday November 14, during the formal launch of ‘Operation Keep Warri Clean Initiative’, by the Comr. Agbateyiniro administration of Warri South Local Government Area.

According to Dr. Akinyemi, the ‘Operation Keep Warri Clean Initiative’, is an opportunity to bridge the gap between universities and the communities, in terms of waste generation, collection, treatment and recycling.

Whilst demonstrating how perceived wastes such as water hyacinth, plantain peel and bamboo were recycled for productive purposes, the academic, spoke of plans to use Artificial Intelligence to track waste bins that are full to capacity.

The Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Comr. Agbateyiniro Oritseweyinmi Isaac, in his address, averred: “It is my duty to ensure that our community is clean, healthy and a travelling place for businesses, peace, tourism, well-being and general sustainability.

Comr. Agbateyiniro Oritseweyinmi Isaac, reading his address

“I therefore charge each and everyone of you to join me in this quest. A cleaner environment consists of our individual efforts and collective impact on our surroundings.

“I urge the subject matter experts and other stakeholders, to take ownership of our waste generation, collection, disposal and recycling.

“I beseech us to keep our street, market places and parks free of litters. Let’s maintain proper hygiene practices and support the initiative that promotes a healthy environment. This includes participating in community clean-up programmes and advocating for suitable practices.

“Let us report environmental hazard to our local authorities whenever and wherever we see them and the authorities must take immediate and appropriate actions.

“I commend the effort of the community leaders, health sector, judiciary system, NGOs etc, who work tirelessly to ensure environmental sustainability. With all these, we are convinced that a new Warri is possible.”

4th from left: Comr. Agbateyiniro Oritseweyinmi Isaac, Hon. Jamani Ejiro, Hon. Matthew Mofe Edema, Hon. Kingsley Edafiadjebre & Mr. Emmanuel Nunu, during commissioning of the ‘Beautification/Solar Lighting Project’ executed by the Agbateyiniro administration along the NPA Expressway, Warri

Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Jamani T. Ejiro, who flagged off the ‘Operation Keep Warri Clean Initiative’, earlier noted: “As the saying goes, cleanliness is next to Godliness. This basically implies the best and proper way to adequately manage our environment, which of course, is the responsibility of every patriotic citizen.

“The Ministry of Environment, is proud to be associated with the Warri South Local Government Authority for the initiative of ‘Operation Keep Warri Clean. It is worthy of emulation by other local government authorities across the state.

“Permit me to say that with this initiative, the saying ‘Warri nor dey carry last’ is being demonstrated here today and I join all residents as well as cooperate organizations in Warri, to key into this initiative, in order to have healthy environment, for the benefit of the entire citizens of Warri and its environs.

Warri South PDP Chairman, Hon. Richard Pessu (2nd left) Mr. Emmanuel Nunu, Hon. Matthew Edema, Hon. Jamami Ejiro, Comr. Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, Hon. Kingsley Edafiadjebre, Warri South Council Head of Personnel Management, Mrs. Remi Omatsuli (4th right) Mrs. Misan Eke (right) & others

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to Deltans, as we approach the dry season, we should stop bush burning, indiscriminate disposal of waste on the road and gutter. Let's try to manage our waste by owning a waste bin and engage the services of the registered Private Sector Participants, which is the PSPs, who collects and dispose waste at government approved waste sites.

“I want to assure that the Ministry for Environment, will continue to partner the Council and any other responsible organisations, to align with His Excellency’s MORE Agenda of environmental sustainability.”

The Chairman of Delta State Waste Management Board, Hon. Matthew Mofe Edema, who also spoke during the event, said that the task of keeping Warri clean, starts with the people and the community, who have to work with the PSPs, the local government Council and other relevant government agencies.

“If we all have waste bin where we dump our waste, then there will be no refuse on the roads. If we have PSP that covers the zone in a community, that PSP must have a good relationship with the environmental chairman in that particular community. If all these stakeholders come together to evacuate waste in our various communities, there will be no problem, that means the PSP and the community will work together as one.

“We will work together with the Warri Brand Committee and the local government Council, to make Warri clean again”, Edema, emphasized.

Warri South Council Supervisor for Environment, Hon. Femi Okorodiden, in his opening address, explained: “The ‘Operation Keep Warri Clean Initiative’, resonates deeply with our vision for a healthier, safer and more beautiful oil city.

“We face significant challenges in managing waste effectively. Inappropriate waste disposal and limited public awareness, contribute to environmental degradation and health risks.

Sample of the waste bins, unveiled to flagged off ‘Operation Keep Warri Clean Initiative’

“To address these challenges, our Council, ably led by our workaholic Executive Chairman, has incubated and implemented various environmentally friendly initiatives in our first 100 days in office.”

Resource persons, such as Oisemaye Kehinde, Sanitarian Mode Augustine, Sanitarian Alaka Matthew and Ndobu Grace Chukwufumanya, also spoke extensively on waste generation, management and recycling.

Video, Photo and Transcription Credit: Hitler Blessing

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