Ogun Commences ‘Renew and Reuse’ Waste Agenda

The government in Ogun State, Southwestern, Nigeria, has commenced a Renew and Reuse Waste Agenda with a call on residents of the state to give to the needy in line with the social inclusion of Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration.

The Agenda seeks to bond every strata of the population together through the renewal of some items considered as waste to useful materials for reuse by those who need them, thereby promoting human kindness.

Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya, while speaking at the commencement of the programme in Abeokuta disclosed that the Renew and Reuse Waste Agenda will allow residents of the state to donate those items such as undersized or outgrown clothes, shoes, discarded fabrics, toys, household items, books and publications to those that need them.

He said this will be achieved through several Collection Boxes placed at Government Offices, prominent Eateries, Stores, Outlets, and Non-Governmental Organizations’ (NGOs) offices spread across the state.

Oresanya stated that this will allow residents to reach out to those who need the items they want to discard.

“We equally want our people to know that waste is not waste unless you waste it as one person’s waste is a source of joy to another person.

“What you want to throw away is what some people are looking for. So, don’t throw them away as this is an avenue for you to show human kindness especially at this time when the Federal and State Governments are giving out palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy and global economic downturn,” he added.

Aside from the humanitarian angle of the programme, Oresanya noted that the items given out, which will be renewed and reused, will make the environment better as there would be reduction of waste at landfills with its effects on carbon footprints, ozone layer and climate change.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon Adijat Adeleye, whose Ministry is collaborating with its Environment counterpart, said “the items donated in the Collection Boxes would be sorted, cleaned and re-packaged at state government’s expense and given free to those who need them” and urged the rich and the favoured in the society to support the needy through the programme.

She also called on residents not to feel reluctant to donate due to cultural beliefs, saying her Ministry is ready to pick up any donation privately if secrecy is required.

Guardian/Shakirat Sadiq