Ogun State government has commenced a Renew and Reuse Waste Agenda with a call on residents of the state to be their brothers’ keepers, especially during this season of love and giving, which is in line with Prince Dapo Abiodun administration’s social inclusion.
The Agenda seeks to bond every stratum of the population together through the renewal of some items considered waste into useful materials for reuse by those who need them, thereby promoting human kindness.
Speaking at the commencement of the programme in Abeokuta, Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya said the Renew and Reuse Waste Agenda will give residents of the state the opportunity to donate items such as undersized or outgrown clothes, shoes, discarded fabrics, toys, household items books and publications to those that need them.
These would be done through several Collection Boxes placed at Government Offices, prominent Eateries, Stores, Outlets and Non-Governmental Organizations NGO’s offices spread across the state.
This, Oresanya said, will allow residents to reach out to those who need the items they want to discard.
“We equally want our people to know that waste is not waste unless you waste it, as one person’s waste is a source of joy for another person. What you want to throw away is what some people are looking for. So don’t throw them away as this is an avenue for you to show human kindness, especially at this time when the Federal and State Governments are giving out palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy and global economic downturn” he added.
Aside from the humanitarian angle of the programme, Oresanya said the items given out which will be renewed and reused will make the environment better as there would be a reduction of waste at landfills with its effects on carbon footprints, ozone layer and climate change.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon Adijat Adeleye whose Ministry is collaborating with its Environment counterpart said the items donated in the Collection Boxes would be sorted, cleaned and re-packaged at the state government’s expense and given free to those who need them and enjoined the rich and the favoured in the society to support the needy through the programme.
She also called on residents not to feel reluctant to donate due to cultural beliefs saying her Ministry is ready to pick up any donation privately if secrecy is required.
For Rotary Club of Abeokuta that are also collaborating with the state government,its Secretary, Rotarian Mujeeb Dauda said the programme keyed into the club’s four- way tests and pledged their commitment to success of the programme.
Also contributing,Mrs Abimbola Adeyemi of Crown Fit Outlet who spoke on behalf of other partners said they are happy to join the state government on this journey of giving succour to the needy through the Renew and Reuse Waste Agenda.
The residents are therefore enjoined to look out for the Collection Boxes in all government offices and public places across the state and drop their donations to make the programme a huge success.
credit: PM News
