WASTEBANC – Public, Private Sector Collaboration In Waste Management

Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency is collaborating with Sterling Bank, its primary partner as a Private Sector Participant (PSP) operator, to collect and manage recyclable waste in the Capital Territory through its WasteBanc platform.

The plan for deploying WasteBanc for the Capital Territory is to provide efficient, solid, recyclable waste management services. This will promote and create an achievable, sustainable, cleaner, and greener environment, thereby promoting the MORE Agenda of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State.

WasteBanc is an aggregator for recyclable waste that collects dried recyclable waste (plastics, paper, metals, glass, etc.) and offers its users the opportunity to cash out from such waste disposal transactions. Waste deposited by the customer (Households, businesses, estates, communities, PSPs, etc.) will be weighed and valued at an amount displayed on the screen of the WasteBanc app dashboard. WasteBanc will then evacuate the accumulated recyclables and waste generated.

As a pilot scheme, four (4) centers have been identified as collection points. These collection centres will be managed by WasteBanc-trained Agents. The Agents will be equipped to receive recyclables and make payments after weighing them. At intervals, the recyclables from the collection centers are transferred to the Operational Hub Centre for compression and onward transportation to companies needing the materials. Already, a portion of land has been identified within the Oko market to serve as the Operational Hub Centre.

ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION ACTIVITIES

In line with the Agency campaign for a Secure, Clean and Green Capital Territory, the Environment Unit of the Agency is engaged in a number of sanitation activities to establish a clean and safe environment in the Capital Territory. These include;

1. Daily Seeping and litter picking of surface tarred roads. Currently, the Agency through its road sweepers otherwise known as Road Sanitation Officers (RSOs) undertakes daily sweeping and litter picking of Dennis Osadebay Way, Nnebisi Road, Ezenei Avenue, Ibusa Road, Summit/Anwai Road, Old Anwai Road, Okpanam Road, DBS Road, Maryam Babangida Way, High Court Road, Dan Okihe Crescent (Mcdon Road), Liberty Estate Road, Amb. Ralph Uwechue Road, Camp 74 Road (all in Oshimili South LGA), Okpanam Road/Okpanam Bypass, Ibusa Township Road (all in Oshimili North LGA). From time, time, the Agency also carries out intervention clean-up of other strategic roads and areas in the Capital Territory such as Koka flyover, Anwai Road (Govt. House gate to Camp 74 junction).
2. De-silting of drains. To establish a flood-free Capital Territory, the Agency carries out periodic de-silting of internal drains in the Capital Territory. These drains are de-silted, and silt is evacuated to the government-approved dump site. These activities have led to a flood-free and clean Capital Territory.
3. Vegetation Control. The Agency regularly controls vegetation on some major roads and in its established gardens, which has led to a green Capital Territory overall.
4. Premises Inspection. The Agency, through its Environment Unit, works with the Supervisors and Sanitation Officers (PSP-Taskforce) and undertakes routine inspections of residential and commercial premises. This is to ensure that all premises comply with the sanitation requirements of clean premises, provision of waste bins, registration/engagement of government-approved PSP in refuse collection, proper management of solid & liquid waste, provision of water-system toilets, etc. Defaulters are issued notice to abate nuisance within a specified time. Those who fail to comply with the notice are taken to the Agency Mobile Courts for prosecution.
5. Mobile Court. The Agency has approved five (5) mobile courts in Asaba, Okpanam, Ibusa, Okwe, and Ugbolu to prosecute environmental offenders. Several offenders have been prosecuted successfully in these mobile courts.
6. Removal/Demolition of Illegal/Makeshift Structures. From time to time, the Agency has removed/demolished illegal/makeshift structures in the Capital Territory. It has also removed obstructions in the major roads and expressways, which has helped restore the orderliness and aesthetics of the Capital Territory.
7. Other activities carried out by the Agency include a citizens’ sensitization campaign on Sanitation best practices, relocation of Keke parks off the major junctions to appropriate and safe locations, enforcement of the ban on tricycles and metal scraps, etc.