The Delta State waste management board yesterday, Tuesday 1st August, 2023, commenced enforcement of those engaging in indiscriminate waste  disposal.

The team flanked by members of the Nigerian police force,  Delta State Waste Management Board Consultant on waste monitoring and audit team, private sector participants, PSPs, commenced the exercise in Uvwie local government Area.

The Head Officer of waste management, Uvwie Zone, Mr Onojeguo Erere, who spoke to newsmen said, the enforcement became necessary after serving several notices to the  people to register with the approved private sector participants, PSPs and they failed to do the needful . Mr Onojeguo said the enforcement was done in line with the Delta State waste management board laws.

" This exercise became necessary because of the failure of these people to register with the approved private sector participants, many of them are using wheel barrow pushers who are indiscriminately dumping their refuse at unapproved places. 

" Indiscriminate dumping of refuses is unacceptable. This is something we must put a stop to, hence this exercise. I want to call on those who are yet to register with the approved PSPs to do so to avoid the consequences of the law" he said

The Consultant to Delta State waste management Board on Waste  Monitoring And Audit, Sir. Chief Omamuzo Anthony Assay, while speaking to newsmen said, the government is spending so much to evacuate drainages across the state, therefore, dumping of refuse in all these drainages would completely mar the efforts of the state government

"The Delta State Government is making a lot of efforts to evacuate these drainages so as to avert the impending flood. Governor Oborevwori is determined to bring development to this state and to protect the citizens from the impending dangers of flood. All the efforts to rid the state of the impending flood can only be achieved when residents of the state refrain from engaging wheel barrow pushers and dumping wastes  indiscriminately.

" Indiscriminate dumping of refuse leads to blocked drainages and canals, this can deface the environment,  cause flooding and various diseases" he said

He thereafter said the exercise is in line with Governor Oborevwori's MORE AGENDA and called on Deltans to key into the agenda for more meaningful development across the state.

Some of the defaulters who spoke to newsmen said they were not aware of the notices they were served, neither were they generating wastes.  Others who spoke agreed to the fact that they where actually patronizing wheel barrow pushers and commended Governor Oborevwori's government for the initiative. 

The exercise according to the Waste Management Team, will continue and spread to other parts of the state

Also present during the enforcement exercise were, PSP Chairman  Delta State, Mr Lucky Adjekuko and Mr Oguori - Okodaso  Ejiroghene , Chief Environmental Health Officer.