Kwara Enviromental TaskForce Committe visits Environment Commissioner

…begins evacuation of illegal dumpsites.

The Kwara Enviromental TaskForce Committee today, visited the newly inaugurated commissioner of Environment, Arch Aliyu Muhammad Saifudden.

The committee led by its chairman, Abdul-Razhaq Jiddah briefed the commissioner on the achievements and challenges of the committee within few weeks of operation.

Speaking during the meeting, Jiddah said, “the problem on ground brought about the taskforce. The whole area are littered with waste and the governor was not happy with this. There was even a documentary on TVC trying to portray Kwara as one of the dirtiest state in the country.

“The governor in his own wisdom set-up a 7-man committe to take charge of this. It was when we got in that we discovered that the contractor handling the enviroment project, KWEPA weren’t doing any serious job. They had an agreement with the government dated back at 2012 which should have expired by 2014. So currently, they are taking illegal money from the government, and not delivering as expected of them. It’s hightime the government reviewed the contract with them.”

He enumerated the challenges facing the taskforce and further seek a permanent rather than temporary process of disposing watse.

He disclosed that there are about 40 illegal dumping sites in Ilorin metropolis which they have started their evacuation already.

“We just got delivery of about 528 dustbin which are distributed across Ilorin metropolis to prevent improper disposal of waste. And the governor has been providing all we need from his personal money,” Jiddah said.

Reacting to this, the commisoner laud the efforts of the committee saying he was impressed about the work done and pledge his support for their activities.

“Like the governor who wanted to get a quick solution to problems he met on ground, which prompted the setting up of this committe, you have been doing very well. You did not only discovered all these problem but also providing solution to it, this shows how committed you are.”

“If we don’t collide in anything and respect each other’s limit, the ministry is ready to partner you. For me, I’m prepared to work with you.”

He thereafter commended the governor for his initiative on keeping Kwara clean.

Meanwhile, the taskforce Committe has began the evacuation of illegal dumpsites across Ilorin metropolis.

Some of the place, where the evacuation work is ongoing, visited by THE INFORMANT27 today included the Emir’s palace and Okekere area of Ilorin.

Speaking with residents of Okekere community, they commended the governor for prioritising their welfare and urged him to continue with this gesture.

A resident who only gave his name as Ibrahim said, “This is a very commendable and we appreciate the governor. This waste-site has been here for over 80 years with no government ready to give it required attention despite our several pleas. We have written to the previous government severally but every step we takes proved abortive. We appreciate the governor for this. We will ensure we keep this place clean henceforth, we have hold a meeting already.”

“We plead the government to provide us with public toilet, this will go a long way in helping our situation,” another old woman told our correspondent.