The Kwara Government has launched an Eco Clean Project as part of efforts to ensure that the state achieved Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hajiya Aisha Ahman-Patigi, flagged off the project on Sunday at the palace of the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye ll.
According to her, in line with the mandate of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the project will help the state achieve goals 3, 6, and 13 of the SDGs.
Ahman-Patigi explained that the project would create job opportunities for rural dwellers who would be employed as cleaners to implement the project.
She said the focus of the initiative would be on the 13 Local Government Areas of the state that were outside of Ilorin.
“We are currently faced with the problem of COVID-19 and emphasis has been on cleanliness.
“There is no better time to flag off a programme like this,” she added.
The commissioner emphasised that the governor had given them marching orders to get all local government areas of the state, cleared and also promised to support all efforts to that effect.
The State Commissioner for Enterprise, Mr Agbaje Femi, also expressed appreciation to the team, particularly his colleague for local government and chieftaincy affairs for deeming Offa local government area worthy of launching the project.
“We want each local government area to be responsible for their environment. We want to take cleanliness to the grassroots.
“The scheme will also empower people at the local level,” Femi noted.
Responding, the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi, thanked the government for listening to the people of Offa.
The monarch emphasised the need for a clean environment across all levels.
He said that government should make provisions for the waste collection so that the refuse collected won’t find its way back into the surroundings.
He advised the newly employed cleaners to be dutiful and see the task as an opportunity to serve.
He prayed for the success of this administration.
The event featured the presentation of the Kwara Eco Clean Initiative Jackets, face masks and working tools to the monarch by the commissioner.
