The Kwara State Government has warned waste management consultants to perform their duties or risk sanctions.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa, gave the warning during a meeting with the waste management consultants in Ilorin.

The commissioner said waste management consultants were engaged to complement government efforts at maintaining a clean and hygienic environment by evacuating waste in all areas of the state.

Mr Ndanusa however said that it was unfortunate that some of the consultants were performing below expectations.

He said, “We often receive complaints from residents that you don’t make yourself available despite being paid for your services at the end of the month. This singular act of negligence is causing sleepless nights for us at the ministry because our road median has turned into refuse dumps and may lead to epidemics, thereby affecting the public.’’

The commissioner charged them to be proactive in discharging their duties to the public that pay for their services and make sure the environment is clean and hygienic for healthy living.

Mr Ndanusa advised the consultants to engage stakeholders in their areas to collaborate with them, by sensitising the public to their existence and readiness to serve them effectively.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hajia Afusat IAbrahim, reiterated the commitment of the current administration to promote a clean and hygienic environment that would be habitable to the residents.

She also assured the consultants that their complaints and suggestions would be addressed in due course.

Responding, the Chairman of Kwara Waste Contractors Association, Alhaji Zakariyau Tahiru, applauded the current administration in its efforts to sustain a healthy environment that would be free of epidemic.

The association chairman also called on the government to upgrade the road dump sites to allow ease of movement of their lorries during the rainy season.

He promised that they would make amends and be more effective in their services to the people.

(NAN)