Ogun seeks police collaboration to tackle waste disposal violations

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Waste Management and Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Agency, Farouk Akintunde, has called for stronger collaboration with the Ogun State police command to address waste management challenges in the state.

Akintunde made the call during a visit to the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, according to a statement issued on Sunday.

He said the agency needed police support to enforce environmental laws and clamp down on offenders across the state.

The OGWAMA boss said, “Our agency is particularly requesting partnership with the police in the area of enforcement of environmental and waste management laws, which forbid residents from dumping refuse indiscriminately in public places such as roadsides and medians.”

He thanked the commissioner and his team for their previous cooperation, noting that the renewed partnership would strengthen the existing relationship between OGWAMA and the police command.

Akintunde said the collaboration would improve enforcement of waste management regulations and promote a cleaner, safer and healthier environment across the state.

In his response, Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to supporting OGWAMA in its enforcement activities.

He warned residents against obstructing environmental officials in the discharge of their duties, stating that such actions would not be tolerated.

Ojajuni said, “We are definitely going to work with the OGWAMA team to ensure a very clean and safe Ogun State. We are all aware of the risk that an unhealthy environment poses to people.

“However, I also want to counsel the management of OGWAMA to embark on massive advocacy, sensitisation and partner with non-governmental organisations, schools, clubs, and establish special waste marshals to educate the residents on proper waste management.

“This massive public enlightenment is very crucial because it will help educate the people on the importance of keeping their environment, roadsides and medians free of waste and patronise the PSP assigned to their communities for proper waste disposal.”

He added that the police would enforce environmental and waste management laws to ensure compliance across the state.