Oyo government to sanction unauthorised environmental consultants
The Oyo State Government has charged waste contractors to be duly registered with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, as every unauthorized consultant would be fished out and sanctioned according to Oyo State Environmental laws.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, said this during a meeting with the waste consultants in Ibadan.
He urged them to regularize their triennial and monthly technical reports, like Environmental Audit Reports and the Environmental Impact Assessment report with required standards.
Mogbonjubola called on the consultants otherwise known as Accredited Franchisees, to harmonize all regulators’ policies, relating to adequate registration.
He added that the Government will sanction anyone found culpable of environmental pollution and degradation, either of emissions, liquid, solid or gaseous wastes.
Mogbonjubola said the present administration is working round the clock towards repositioning and strengthening the cleanliness of its environment to an enviable position in the country.
This, he said, has prompted the administration to embark on a serious crusade, which has led to the invitation of all environmental consultants in the state, for interactions over their expected roles, adherence to rules of engagements and compliance.
Mogbonjubola assured of the readiness of government to play its part at ensuring all stakeholders are carried along and sensitised in the proactive drive towards a sustainable healthy environment.
The Commissioner explained that the invitation and sensitization of the Environmental Consultants is important prior to enforcement by Government officials.
He added that the law has given the Ministry powers to monitor compliance, enforce and sanction culprit of environmental pollution and degradation, either of emissions, liquid, solid or gaseous wastes.
He emphasized that the government is not out witch-hunting any individual, corporate organizations or groups, but rather to ensure the replenishment of all potential impact of activities on the environment.
According to him, “we need a better and sane society, a beneficial relationship and a system where laws are strictly adhered to. Your proactive steps determine the level of compliance by companies and industries.”
In a build-up to this, the Commissioner had engaged about 200 Agro-Allied, Chemical, Construction Companies, Quarries and other industrial facilities in the state, on mutual collaborations, and expected roles, towards general cleanliness of their working premises, waste management, storage, operational health and safety of workers.
