Edo State Government has issued a week ultimatum to the state’s waste management board to rid the streets of Benin and other adjoining local governments of waste under its “Clean Edo” initiative.

Chairman Edo State Environmental Taskforce, and the state’s deputy governor, Hon.Dennis Idahosa, handed down this ultimatum during a meeting with accredited waste managers and other stakeholders in Benin on Thursday.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor warned that failure for any waste managers to comply with the directive would be met with sanction.

Idahosa noted that Governor Monday Okpebholo working through the SHINE Agenda was set to impact positively on the lives of people, including cleaner and healthier society.

Accordingto him, “We are going to give one week to all the waste managers, across the state, most especially, Edo South, to meet up with responsibilities or we revoke your accreditation at the state and local government levels.

“However, we are ready to join you to proffer solutions to raised challenges as we need a cleaner and healthier society.”

The Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Barr. Nosa Adams stated that for real development to take place in Edo State based on the infrastructural growth and development already being witnessed in the state, effort had to be made by all to have a clean working and healthy environment.

He insisted, “Both solid and liquid wastes must not be allowed to litter our streets; air pollution would not be tolerated, and, solid waste must be evacuated as quickly as possible, as soon as it is dropped.

“Factories should workout acceptable minimum standards to dispose off liquid wastes which is a critical challenge communities are presently facing.

“we are taking action against this inductrial action, because, we don’t want to gamble with the health of our people.”

Chairman, Edo State Waste Management Board (EWMB) Mr. Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi, said, based on the Governor’s vision, he has been mandated to ensure all hands are on deck by engaging with stakeholders, a resultant effect, he said, birthed the present outcome of the environmental stakeholders meeting.

Speaking on the riot act directed at defaulting waste managers, Inegbenehi stated, “This is the first time in history, we are hearing this, at the Executive level. Edo State is doing extremely well. We are on the path of progress and prosperity.”

The Chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, Hon. Gabriel Iduseri, speaking from the perspective of council chairmen, praised the outcome of the meeting, noting, “The meeting today will further enhance a cleaner and better environment at Oredo.”

He explained that his council was taking a stand against disposal of refuse inside drainages just as he appealed to households to patronise accredited waste managers.

On their part, Comr. Odolevbo Haruna, Barr. Dele Edokpayi and Gillian Ochugbue who spoke on behalf of waste managers, highlighted some challenges, which included the failure of households to pay for rendered services as well as the failure to register with accredited waste managers.