…says the Agency, ministry of environment failed in their responsibilities
The failure of Ondo State Waste Management Authority to live up to expectations in discharging its duties is responsible for the continuous improper waste disposal and management in the state.
That's according to ZL Global Alliance (ZLGA), the private company partnering the Ondo state on integrated waste management who called on residents to hold the state Waste Management Authority responsible for failure to ensure cleanliness and proper Waste Management.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the group managing director of the company, Dr. Abiola Bashorun to distance the company from failure to ensure cleanliness and proper waste management in Akure, the state capital and other parts of the state.
The statement was in reaction to media reports over the perennial challenge of failure to properly manage waste disposal in Ondo state, which has led to the state capital being littered with heaps of refuse on major roads and strategic places.
Dr. Bashorun exonerated ZL Global Alliance, accusing other waste management companies working with the state government of failure to carry out their duty of making the state capital clean and the State supervising and monitoring agency to perform his responsibility.
She said, “Since ZL Global Alliance came into Ondo State, the company has not neglected its duties and responsibilities as explicitly spelt out in the contractual agreements with the state government, principally in the management of public waste and other matters thereto related.
“At this juncture, suffice it to be emphasised that it is not ZL global Alliance alone that is in the business of cleaning Akure, the Ondo state capital. There are indeed some other companies that the government is partnering with. It is therefore surprising that at every point in time when these companies are not doing their bid, the name of ZL Global Alliance is always in the mouth of everyone as being responsible for the laxity. At first, we felt it might be because of the magnitude of the company’s image and operations but it has got to a point we must for the umpteenth time clear this issue.
“Recently, it was discovered that rainfall caused serious flooding in several parts of Akure and some other places. It must be noted that these incidents are results of the wrong attitude of the people, that is, residents of Akure who prefer to dump their waste in drainages and canals instead of working with assigned companies to their areas of residence. That was also responsible for the huge refuse that was permanently residing at the spot in front of Ade Super Hotel which became an eyesore and we at ZL Global Alliance took it up and dealt with it.
“This leads us to the crux of the matter. ZL Global Alliance is a private company that cannot carry out enforcement of government environmental laws. It is the duty of the Ondo State government through the Ministry of Environment and Waste Management Authority to enforce these laws and ensure the cleanliness of the state. The question then arises; what exactly is the state Ministry of Environment and its allied agencies doing in this regard? Your answer is as good as mine.
“I must be emphatic that paying some social media influencers to run down a performing company cannot cover for the ineptitude of a few that continue to hold Ondo State at ransom. Pertinent questions must be asked; where are the other waste management companies supposedly responsible for cleaning every street in Akure? What has Waste Management Authority done in addressing the shortage of these companies and the ineffectiveness of the available ones?
“Meanwhile, one of the issues raised by the co-travelers of those spreading rumours about ZLGA operations in Ondo State is that the company is only interested in collecting money from the government. This claim is not just myopic but also grossly uninformed.
“The fact remains that ZL Global Alliance has been operating by obtaining credit facilities from banks and other financial institutions. 
While we will not join issues with rumour peddlers and falsehood merchandise who take delight in caution disaffection and tension, we like to call on the people of Ondo State to please and please desist from throwing waste into drainages, road separators and other untoward places that constitute dirtiness in the state capital and other places.
Dr. Bashorun challenged the Waste Management Authority and the Ministry of Environment to wake up from their slumber to ensure strict enforcement of environmental laws, rules and regulations.
"It is not enough to go out only on monthly environmental sanitation days, much more is required”, the statement read in part.
