Waste Management in Osun State: Addressing the Issue of Road Median Dumping

The indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians, particularly the divider, is a prevalent activity occurring across major states in Nigeria, most especially Oyo, Lagos, Ekiti, and Osun, among others. This ill act and behavior are causing significant detriment to the aesthetic view of the state and environment and are also capable of serving as a preliminary for disease initiation, emanating obnoxious odors, and unsightliness. Many individuals leave their comfortable abodes and bring their waste materials only to dispose of them on the road median. Some industries and factories also engage in disposing of their refuse on the road median.

In Osun State, Osogbo, the state capital, is often littered with waste of different origins and sources, including rubbish, garbage, and others. The road medians in various areas of Osogbo metropolis are often occupied with discarded waste materials. People are fond of disposing of their waste on the road median, including areas like the Ogo-Oluwa axis, Igbonna Market area, Capital and Estate Area, Oke-Onitea junction along Mallam Tope, Temidire junction along Galaxy Hotel, Hallelujah Junction via Ringroad, Owode-ede Market area, Ota-Efun market area, and Kobo Market area, among others.

The Osun Waste Management Agency (OWMA) is responsible for enforcement and prosecution of defaulters. They also engage in morning surveillance in respective areas of Osogbo to curb indiscriminate disposal of waste on the road median. OWMA approves and allocates PSP Operators' vehicles to different streets and areas within the state for sanitary collections of waste and disposal.

However, there are instances where PSP Operators are not persistent in collecting waste, triggering some individuals to dump their waste on the road median. Ignorance of the law is never an excuse; proper regulation and monitoring are essential to coordinate the activities of PSP operators within the state. Some areas lack assigned PSP Operators, which may encourage dwellers to dump waste on the road median.

To address this issue, OWMA should increase awareness about sanitary disposal of waste and ensure information about PSP Operators is publicly available and easily retrievable through mass media. Consistent surveillance at strategic locations is crucial, and thorough prosecution of defaulters will serve as an example and precedent for others. Assigning more PSP Operators to uncovered areas can help mitigate this problem.

Ultimately, putting an end to indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians requires a collective effort from both the government and the community. A cleaner and safer environment, free from pollution and contamination, demands our participation and obligation to duty.