Abuja: The Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board (EWMB), Dr. Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi, announced that the Edo state government has engaged an additional 500 sweepers to enhance environmental cleanliness across the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, these newly engaged sweepers have been deployed across the 18 local government areas to enhance the existing workforce. The board has also acquired modern equipment, including bulldozers, payloaders, tippers, and compactors, to improve waste management services in the state. Dr. Enehita-Inegbenehi highlighted initiatives such as ‘Operation Free Edo’ and ‘Operation Clean Edo North’, aimed at clearing long-standing refuse heaps.
The managing director noted that dump-site maintenance had been a significant challenge in the past, but existing sites have now been expanded and are maintained regularly. With dump sites established across all local government areas, waste collection has become more efficient. The board also launched ‘Operation Show Your Receipt’, where officials verify residents’ compliance with waste disposal regulations by ensuring they use accredited waste collectors. Defaulters, he warned, would face legal consequences.
Additionally, Mr. Stanley Ighodaro, Managing Director of the Edo State Parks and Gardens Agency, spoke about a free tree-planting initiative to preserve the natural ecosystem. The agency plans to transform the city center by planting trees at strategic locations in Edo South. Ighodaro warned that individuals who destroy these trees will face strict penalties if caught.