The Ogun State government has distributed some reusable materials such as clothes and shoes to vulnerable residents living in the Ipokia local government area of the state.

DAILY POST reports that the initiative tagged ‘Renew and Reuse Programme’ is part of its effort in promoting proper waste management through acts of charity and donations in the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the distribution exercise held at weekend, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, stated that the distribution is part of government’s deliberate efforts at bonding every strata of the local government together through renewal of some items considered as waste to useful materials for reuse by those who needs them, thereby promoting human kindness.

Oresanya, represented by the Ministry’s Director of Environmental Quality Control, Water Regulatory Enforcement and Advocacy, Mr Kayode Akinwande, said the distributed renew and reuse materials were items donated by some residents who considered them as waste but were renewed by the state government for the use of other residents who find them useful.

He said, “With the exercise, we want our people to know that waste is not waste unless you waste them as one person’s waste is a source of joy to another person. What you want to throw away is what some people are looking for, so don’t throw them away as this is an avenue for you to show human kindness.”

He asked residents to donate their unused items through collecting boxes positioned at key areas in the state, adding that they will be renewed and made available to locals in need.

“What you only need to do is to donate your unused items through collection boxes that are placed at strategic locations across the state.

“The donated items after renewal will be made available to other residents who may need them instead of dumping them on water ways, canals and drainage channels, which will have adverse effect on our environment,” Oresanya added.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Ipokia Local Government, Johnson Avoseh, thanked the state government through the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Rotary Club of Abeokuta for the Renew and Reuse Initiative, saying aside from its benefits to the less privileged, it will solve some environmental challenges which will affect the populace in both the short and long runs.

Two of the beneficiaries, Madam Esther Akovoyan and Mr Simon Gandonu, thanked the state government for the items, urging residents of the local government and the state to donate generously to the initiative so that more less-privileged people can benefit.

Ipokia Local Government is the third out of the 20 local government areas that have benefited from the distribution of the renew and reuse materials since its inauguration last year.

Ogun Govt distributes reusable clothes, shoes to residents in Ipokia