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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Oyo State Government and its authorised waste management consultant, Mottainai Recycling Ltd, has launched a recycling hub in Ojoo terminal, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Environment, Akinyele Local Government, Mrs B.D. Ahmed, said the initiative was aimed at raising awareness among traders, market women, and the general public about climate change.
She urged market women to practice waste sorting and refrain from disposing of waste on the median.
Earlier, the Chief Operating Officer of Mottainai Recycling Ltd, Ms. Oluwaseun Fasuhanmi, said the initiative arose from a sincere desire to ensure the pristine cleanliness of the state, adding that the unveiling was part of activities to commemorate World Cleanup Day 2023.
She said the hub is the second to be rolled out in the state, adding that it was first unveiled at Iseyin Local Government few months ago.
Fasuhanmi said the initiative was driven by an admirable aspiration to inspire individuals to adopt transformative lifestyle choices that harmonise with the environment.
She emphasised the profound significance of waste management, saying it is a shared responsibility that unites all in the noble pursuit of a greener and more sustainable future.
Also, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Mottainai Recycling Ltd, Ms. Deborah Fadeyi, stated that the World Cleanup Day event held at Ojoo Market was a unique endeavour.
She added that the introduction of the innovative hub is poised to empower the youth and educate market users on the art of converting waste into valuable resource, thereby unlocking the potential for wealth creation.
Fadeyi said the initiative will bring waste infrastructure closer to the people so that there would be no excuse to dump refuse on the median and water channels and ensure proper flood management, particularly in the raining season.
“The hub is aimed at promoting a sustainable environment, create jobs and empower the people of Ojoo community to adopt recycling as an effective waste management practice with some financial reward and potential to support a movement of environmentally conscious residents.
“By the end of this initiative, approximately 2,000kgs of recyclables, including plastic, cartons, and aluminum cans, were successfully collected, in collaboration with volunteers and other stakeholders,”she said.
The event was witnessed by representatives from the Ministry of Environment along with Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) from Akinyele Local Government, Corps Members, Mottainai Ambassadors, and volunteers from various NGOs.