The Oyo State Government has announced that enforcement of its compulsory waste bin policy will begin on September 1, giving residents and business owners a month to meet the new sanitation requirement.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, said the policy is aimed at improving waste disposal practices and promoting a cleaner environment across the state.
Under the directive, all residential and commercial properties must be equipped with suitable waste bins. The government explained that the capacity of each bin should reflect the amount of refuse generated and the number of people occupying the property.
The state also directed residents to dispose of their waste only through private waste operators officially recognised by the government. Anyone found using unauthorised waste collectors or engaging in illegal waste disposal risks prosecution.
As part of the compliance exercise, inspection teams will monitor properties to ensure the new guidelines are being followed. Officials will also request proof that property owners and businesses have paid the required waste collection charges.
Residents facing difficulties with refuse evacuation or those unsure of the government’s approved waste contractors have been advised to seek assistance from the Oyo State Solid Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA) or the Ministry of Environment’s Department of Environmental Health Services.
According to the commissioner, the initiative is designed to reinforce the state’s environmental sanitation campaign. He stressed that maintaining clean surroundings remains the responsibility of every resident and business owner, regardless of compliance with the waste bin requirement.