The Kwara State Government , North Central Nigeria, has inaugurated a special taskforce on waste management.

The task force is put in place to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse, with the aim of sustaining a clean and hygienic environment, to ensure a healthy living of the people.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mallam Shehu Ndanusa Usman, stated this during the inauguration ceremony at the Ministry's conference hall.

“Today is another milestone in Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq led administration on its efforts at repositioning the state to be clean, hygenic, and healthy for the entire citizens,” the Commissioner said.

He affirmed that the Ministry in partnership with Kwara State Social Investment Programmes, KWASSIP, has employed 20 youth to work in conjunction with the Environmental Officers with the aim of policing major roads in town, in order to curb indiscriminate dumping, stop road encroachment and maintain sanity at market places.

The Commissioner, therefore, charged members of the newly appointed special task force to be proactive and discharge their duties in accordance with the rules and regulations as entrenched in the environmental law, without fear or favour of anyone

He appreciated Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq for creating an enabling environment for the Ministry to achieve its mandate.

Mallam Ndanusa also thanked the General Manager, State Social Investment Programmes, KWASSIP, Dr. Olayinka AbdulWasiu Tejidini for supporting the Ministry in its bid to sustain a clean and healthy environment.

In his remarks, the General Manager, KWASSIP, Dr Tejidini commended the Governor AbdulRazaq for his approval of the proposal to put in place a 20 member Special Taskforce, to compliment efforts of the Environment Ministry, in order to sustain an healthy environment.

He, however, revealed that the Special Taskforce will be on six months probation to test their effectiveness.

In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim applauded the initiative of the Commissioner for Environment and General Manager, KWASSIP which she said will go a long way at 'complimenting' the efforts of the present administration to eradicate indiscriminate dumping of refuse and ensure a clean and healthy environment.

Hajia Ibrahim, therefore, charged members of the newly inaugurated Special Taskforce to be dedicated to their duties to get the desired result.

She also warned them not to take laws into their hands while discharging their duties by reporting erring members of the public to the appropriate authority for necessary actions.