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 included the representatives of the Association of Waste Managers, State Chapter, 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, as represented by DCP Alamutu Abiodun and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Ola Oresanya amongst others stated that the bill was another milestone by the 9th Assembly towards safeguarding the environment through a well-coordinated waste management system.
According to them, the new system which must have all hands on deck would bring about the sustainability of a more clean and liveable environment for the people and investors in the State, thereby making the State retain her pride of place amongst the comity of States in the country.
Earlier while declaring the forum open, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo said the basis for conveying the public hearing was to ensure collaborative efforts of the Assembly in partnering with 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 , thereby improving the socio-economic activities of the State, with an assurance that the Assembly would give the bill accelerated passage having harnessed the inputs of the relevant stakeholders.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, 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.
