OGUN WASTE MANAGEMENT BILL WILL PROMOTE SAFE ENVIRONMENT -STAKEHOLDERS

Stakeholders in the environment and allied sectors have thrown their weight behind the proposed Ogun State Waste Management Authority Law, 2020, 

describing it as a laudable legislative framework that would give a new direction to waste management, in achieving safe and clean environment      suitable for investment in the State.

The Stakeholders spoke in unison during a public hearing on the bill titled: "A Bill for a law to provide for the establishment of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority and Other Matters connected therewith", held at the Assembly complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Contributors at the forum, including representatives of Association of Waste Managers, Femi Okulalu, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Comrade Yinka Folarin, the State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), Durojaye Ahmed, the Commissioner of Police, represented by DCP Abiodun Alamutu and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Ola Oresanya among others, all said the bill was another milestone by the 9th Assembly towards safeguarding the environment, through a well-coordinated waste management system.

 The stakeholders noted that the new system would bring about sustainability of a cleaner and livable environment for the people and investors in the State, thereby making the Ogun retain her pride of place amongst the comity of States in the country.

Declaring the forum open earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo said the public hearing was conveyed to ensure collaborative effort between the Assembly and the Executive arm, towards charting a new course for waste management in the State, through a feasible legislative instrument that could stand the test of time.

Oluomo explained that the bill was aimed at providing enabling environment for the residents and investors, improving the socio-economic activities of the State, with an assurance that the Assembly would give the bill accelerated passage, while effectively harnessing the inputs of the stakeholders.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Hon. Wahab Haruna, who pointed out the importance of a conducive environment in ensuring good health and well-being of the people, stated that the forum was organized to provide an avenue for stakeholders' participation in the deliberation, where inputs garnered would be carefully considered for further legislative process, in achieving an effective law.