The Delta Government says it is proposing N250 million for the acquisition and development of five new dumpsites in the state.
The Chairman of the Waste Management Board, Chief Olori Magege, made the disclosure at the budget defence with the State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation on Wednesday in Asaba.
According to him, the money will be required this fiscal year for the acquisition and construction of five new dumpsites, while an additional N180 million will be required for the daily maintenance of the sites.
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Magege said the five dumpsites woud be located in Asaba, Warri, Effurun, Ughelli and Udu.
He added that the old sites in Warri and Asaba had outlived their usefulness and had been closed.
He also said that the board was proposing the sum of N580 million for the procurement of two bulldozers, one low bed and three pail loaders.
Magege said there was the need for the review of the N7,000 wage paid to each sweeper in major towns of the state.
According to him, the board is proposing an increase in the remuneration of street sweepers from the current N7,000 to N20,000 monthly.
Magege also said that the board was proposing the sum of N12 million for public enlightenment programme to educate the public on the need to imbibe good sanitation culture.
“It has become glaring that public attitude to issues of waste management and general cleanliness has been mostly negative and requires aggressive public education.
“This will ensure the cooperation and acceptance by members of the public,’’ he said.
He, therefore, appealed to the committee to appropriate adequate funds for the board to function.
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Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Daniel Mayuku, advised the board to create an enabling environment for Private Sector Participation in handling wastes in the state.
Mayuku also advised the board to come up with strong laws that could help in the enforcement of waste collection in the state.
He assured the board that the Delta House of Assembly would do whatever it could to assist the board to carry out its functions.
