Members of the Refuse Contractors Association (RCA) have applauded Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde’s renewed efforts in strengthening the state’s waste management system
They lauded the governor’s decision to revive the Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA) with the appointment of Hon. Waheed Adeniyi, popularly known as Biiro, as its Chairman.
In a statement signed by leaders of the association on Sunday, the contractors expressed deep appreciation to the governor for “bringing back OYOWMA” and for what they described as the “appointment of a good leader, a God-fearing, wise, and politically sound Chairman to lead us.”
According to the statement, the period before Adeniyi’s appointment was marked by poor engagement and limited collaboration between the waste contractors and government officials.
“Before the arrival of the new Chairman, when the Ministry was in charge of waste management, for over three years, we had little to no involvement.
We were not informed, engaged, or called for meetings. Everything was controlled solely by the Ministry, Commissioner, and consultants,” the statement read.
The contractors, however, noted that since Hon. Waheed Adeniyi assumed office in July 2025, there has been a “remarkable turnaround” in the way the sector is being managed. They described his approach as “inclusive, transparent, and reform-driven.”
“In less than four months of his leadership, we have had no fewer than five meetings involving both consultants and contractors, either together or separately. This has never happened before,” the association stated.
At the most recent meeting held on October 15, 2025, several key decisions were made to restore efficiency, fairness, and accountability in the system.
Among them was the directive that consultants should return each contractor’s assigned area of operation to them, ensuring that everyone resumes work within their designated routes.
The Chairman also announced that contractors would now be required to remit a small percentage of their earnings to the government as part of efforts to support the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).
In a notable shift from past practices, Hon. Adeniyi maintained that the ability to work would no longer be tied strictly to truck ownership.
“Whether a contractor owns a truck or hires one, everyone must now work. What matters is keeping Oyo clean,” the contractors quoted him as saying.
The RCA leaders further noted that the Chairman assured contractors that their vehicles would no longer be impounded, provided they operated within their assigned routes and complied with environmental standards.
He also announced that official Area of Operation Permits for all contractors would soon be released, a move expected to formalize and stabilize their operations.
Describing Adeniyi’s leadership style as “decisive yet accommodating,” the association praised his efforts to rebuild trust between the government and waste management stakeholders.
“Hon. Waheed Adeniyi has demonstrated a rare kind of leadership, he’s listening, fair, and practical. His commitment to cleaning up Oyo and giving everyone a fair chance to work deserves commendation,” the statement added.
The contractors however, expressed their gratitude to Governor Makinde for “appointing a capable and visionary leader” and for his continued commitment to environmental reform in Oyo State.
“Oyo is cleaner, more organized, and more hopeful under this renewed system. We thank the Governor for his foresight and the OYOWMA Chairman for his dedication to progress,” the group declared.
