The Kwara state government has again cautioned residents of the state to desist from indiscriminate disposal of their refuse.

The Secretary and acting General Manager of the state Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), Hajia Idayat Folorunsho, gave advice on Sunday during a clean-up exercise organised by the Blue-lily Humanitarian and Empowerment Initiative.

According to her, the Blue-lily Humanitarian and Empowerment Initiative is a Lagos based NGO that embarked on the evacuation of waste at a river bank beside Chapel Secondary School Junction, Tanke, Ilorin, a community service that now saved the area from an eyesore.

She commended the founder of Blue-lily H&E initiative, Aminat Yeside, for being patriotic and for complementing the state government efforts at ensuring a clean and safe environment for the citizens.

Folohunso, who reaffirmed the government's commitment to a decent waste management system, said, “The agency would not rest on its oars to keep the state tidy and safe through regular campaigns against abuse of the physical environment and enforcement exercise.”

Founder of the Blue-lily H&E Initiative, Yeside said the organisation was established in January 2023 in response to humanitarian concerns and to help people clean up their environment.

“We are trying to sensitise the locals about proper waste management culture, and to foster community bonding through collaborative cleaning efforts.

“And our focus is on climate change and climate attributes which could result in flooding and land degradation, among other natural or non-natural causes that can affect the livelihood of the people,” she said.

Yeside said that it was devastating and worrisome to see people dumping refuse in illegal places like major road at Tanke.

She advocated the need for collaboration of all stakeholders to ensure that a healthy and clean environment is achieved across the city.

She thanked the government for its support by providing manpower and some tools that made the event a huge success.

The Co-founder of the organisation, Diolu Tobechwuku, said the exercise was necessitated to preach hygienic culture and reduce gases that cause climate change.

He called on people to desist from violating the environmental standards.

“Basically, the clean up is a way to show the community on proper waste disposal, but the main sensitisation is what we have been doing by going to shops and houses and teaching them about proper waste management because we have a bad culture of waste management in Nigeria.

“As we pack this refuse, we are trying to reduce gases that cause climate change.

“We advocate for clean environment and proper waste management culture,” he said