Waste management operators in Ogun State have warned of an impending breakdown in refuse evacuation services, citing mounting debts, delayed payments, and harsh operating conditions that threaten the survival of the sector.
The Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Ogun State chapter, raised the alarm on Sunday, urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene to avert what it described as a looming environmental and public health crisis.
In a statement signed by its state chairman, Pastor Jolaoluwa Emmanuel Gbenga, the association accused the Ogun State Waste Management Authority of implementing policies that have pushed many operators to the brink of collapse.
According to the group, persistent delays in the payment of approved waste management bills have crippled operations, with contractors often receiving as little as 25 to 50 per cent of what is owed to them.
The shortfalls, it said, have made it increasingly difficult for operators to meet basic obligations, including workers’ salaries, equipment maintenance, and diesel procurement, thereby weakening service delivery across the state.
“Many of our members are now heavily indebted, while some have been forced out of business entirely,” the statement noted, warning that the current payment structure is unsustainable.
The association also faulted a 45 per cent deduction imposed on industrial waste revenue, describing it as excessive and misaligned with prevailing economic realities. It called for an immediate downward review to a maximum of 20 per cent to ensure the viability of operators.
AWAMN further highlighted the impact of rising diesel costs on operations, stressing that the surge in fuel prices has significantly increased the cost of waste evacuation, making it difficult to maintain regular services.
To mitigate the challenges, the group urged the state government to fulfil its promise of providing waste compactors to operators, noting that access to modern equipment would boost efficiency and improve waste collection across Ogun communities.
It also proposed the creation of a Special Support Fund to cushion the effects of rising operational costs, particularly diesel and equipment maintenance.
While reaffirming its commitment to environmental sanitation, the association warned that failure to address the issues promptly could result in widespread disruption of waste evacuation services.
Such a breakdown, it added, would expose residents to serious environmental hazards and potential disease outbreaks.
The group therefore called on the governor to engage stakeholders, review existing policies, and implement urgent reforms to stabilise the waste management sector and safeguard public health in the state.
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