The Kwara State government has again charged Commercial Waste Consultants in the state to be proactive while discharging their mandate based on the memorandum of understanding signed with the government.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Remilekun Bamigbe gave the charge during a stakeholders meeting with Commercial Waste Consultants, Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency and Kwara State Internal Revenue Service at rhe Ministry's headquarters'.
According to her, "the government engaged you to complement its efforts in maintaining a clean and hygienic environment but you are not working up to the expectation.
In her words, "despite government's intervention with the resuscitation of the Waste Management Intervention Scheme and provision of 4 compactor trucks, 2 dino trucks, 1 tipper and procurement of 3 new additional compactors to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse in Ilorin Metropolis, there are still some of your jurisdictions that are left out and are causing threat to the health of the inhabitants."
She warned that henceforth, "any Commercial Waste Consultants that performs below expectation will be sanctioned accordingly."
Hon. Banigbe also directed all defaulters to immediately pay their outstanding revenue to KWIRS or forfeit the re-engagement.
She warned them to stop dumping refuse at illegal sites, adding that whoever go against the rules will be penalized.
In his contribution, the general manager, Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, Alh. Sa'ad Ayuba Dan-Musa, reiterated the crucial needs for having accurate data adding that this will enable the agency assist in the areas of enforcement.
Earlier, In her remarks, the HOD Parastatals, Mrs Adewumi Adeleye who represented the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, chided the Commercial Waste Consultants for not paying their dues when due.
Adeleye warned that any company that refuses to clear her outstanding debts would not be engaged for new contracts.
While responding to the allegation by the KWIRS, the Chairman of Commercial Waste Consultants, Mr Zakariyya Tahir appreciated the present administration for creating enabling environment for waste managers to work in the state, most especially, a soft landing on 2021 outstanding to all companies due to some circumstances beyond their control.
He assured the Commissioner that his members are ready to clear all outstanding debts for them to be able to renew their contracts.
Mr. Zakariyya, on behalf of the contractors, however appealed to the Ministry and KWIRS to give them more time to settle the debts.