The Kwara State government has approved the procurement of 50 waste bins and 10 compactors to ensure adequate cleaning and maintenance of the environment.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Dr. Razak Amuda, disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Ilorin.

According to him, the decision to procure the facilities was aimed at ensuring clean and healthy environment.

He added that five out of the 10 compactors have been distributed to strategic locations in Ilorin metropolis.

He said: "The state government is striving to make sure that Kwara is completely free from dirt to ensure a healthy living. Cleanliness is close to godliness, a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. A nation that is not clean cannot be healthy and unhealthy nation can never be wealthy. We have sensitised the people on danger attached to dirtiness, dumping of refuse, garbage and other sorts to where they are not supposed to be, it may result to serious epidemic like cholera. We are appealing to our people to compliment the government's effort by dumping their refuse to designated waste bins provided for them." 

However, the permanent secretary also expressed his dismay with the misuse of the road side by some traders, saying the road set-backs are meant for pedestrians' movement and beautification.

"Unfortunately, people have turned it to trading centre," he added.