The Oyo State Government has introduced a daily environmental sanitation monitoring and enforcement system aimed at promoting a cleaner and healthier environment across the state.

The initiative was announced on Tuesday in Ibadan by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, during a press briefing held at the Ministry’s conference room to mark his first 100 days in office.

Hon. Aderinto said the new system replaces the traditional monthly environmental sanitation exercise with a more proactive approach that places responsibility for cleanliness on residents every day.

He noted that the policy is being backed by continuous monitoring and enforcement by environmental health officers deployed across the state.

“We are now enforcing daily environmental sanitation. Our officers are on the field every day to ensure compliance cleanliness must become a daily responsibility,” he stated.

To support the initiative, the Commissioner disclosed that the Ministry has re-engaged 930 Environmental Vanguards, sweepers, and waste packers, and procured two new compactor trucks with the support of Governor Seyi Makinde to improve waste evacuation.

He added that the environmental personnel have been strategically structured to boost enforcement and expand sanitation coverage, with sweepers now working twice daily to keep roads clean.

According to him, the workers are also enrolled in the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme.

As part of efforts to encourage public participation, the Ministry launched the Oyo Soro Soke (Oyo SSS) Environmental Whistleblower platform, accessible via mobile applications and WhatsApp, to enable residents report environmental violations.

The Commissioner also said the Ministry has introduced a waste segregation system across government offices and initiated Public Private Partnerships for the construction of modern public toilets.

Hon. Aderinto expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde for the opportunity to serve and assured that the trust placed in him would be justified.

He also thanked members of the Executive Council for their collaboration and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Sunday Ojelabi, for his support.

Highlighting other efforts, he said the Ministry has improved media engagement through regular briefings and advisories on issues such as flooding, heat waves, cholera, and Lassa fever.

He further noted that the Ministry has regulated charcoal production, marked World Earth Day with tree planting, intensified campaigns against open defecation, and strengthened disease prevention through inspections and environmental monitoring.

Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment, Hon. Aderinto said the government would continue to build on the progress recorded so far.

“The future of our environment in Oyo State is bright. What we have achieved in 100 days is only the beginning,” he concluded. (TRIBUNE)