The Oyo State Government has dismissed allegations of poor and unsafe working conditions among its Ad hoc Environmental Vanguards, insisting that adequate measures are in place to protect their welfare and ensure effective service delivery.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon.Ademola Aderinto, described the allegations as misleading, noting that the state government had taken steps to improve the working conditions and remuneration of personnel engaged in environmental sanitation and enforcement.
Aderinto disclosed that the monthly salary of Environmental Vanguards had been increased from ₦30,000 to ₦80,000 under the current administration. He added that efforts had also been made to deploy workers closer to their homes to reduce transportation expenses, while their salaries are paid alongside those of other government workers.
He explained that the vanguards are primarily responsible for preventing indiscriminate waste disposal at identified black spots, educating residents on proper sanitation and facilitating the apprehension of environmental offenders where necessary.
The commissioner stressed that the enforcement exercise was not intended to pressure workers into generating fines, but to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
He also denied claims of arbitrary dismissals, stating that underperforming personnel are usually warned or placed on probation and given opportunities to improve before administrative decisions are made.
On security concerns, Aderinto said the ministry had established emergency response arrangements in collaboration with Operation Burst, the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
He noted that although dedicated security personnel could not be assigned to every field officer, workers had been instructed to report threats and potentially dangerous situations promptly for appropriate intervention.
The commissioner also clarified the revenue-sharing arrangement under the Oyo Soro Soke Sita (OYO SSS) initiative, stating that Environmental Vanguards who facilitate the apprehension of offenders receive 15 per cent of the applicable proceeds, compared with the 10 per cent allocated to other collaborators.
According to him, the additional percentage is intended to cover expenses incurred by the vanguards while carrying out their duties.
Aderinto maintained that the state’s environmental enforcement operations were aimed at protecting public health and maintaining a clean environment rather than intimidating residents or imposing unnecessary penalties.
He urged environmental personnel to discharge their responsibilities professionally and in accordance with the law, while encouraging residents to comply with sanitation regulations.
The commissioner added that the ministry regularly engages Environmental Vanguards through meetings to address operational challenges, receive feedback and improve their working conditions.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of its environmental workforce and urged the public to disregard reports he described as misleading.
