Environment
Edo ends costly rentals of waste management equipments with new machines
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
06 Sep 2025 04:26 AM
Benin, Edo – In a significant move to enhance environmental sustainability and promote cost-effective governance, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has commissioned a fleet of newly acquired heavy-duty equipment for the Edo State Waste Management Board (EWMB).
The equipment, which includes bulldozers, low-bed trucks, and tractors, was unveiled at the Government House in Benin City, marking a pivotal step towards a cleaner and healthier Edo State.
The commissioning ceremony, attended by key officials including Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Secretary to the State Government Musa Ikhilor, underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing long-standing waste management challenges.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that the acquisition of this equipment puts an end to the unsustainable practice of renting machinery, which cost the state over ₦50 million monthly under the previous administration.
“For years, over ₦50 million was spent monthly to rent equipment, an unsustainable practice,” the governor stated.
"Today, these machines are fully owned by Edo people, for Edo people’s use. This is not just about waste management but about sustainability, accountability, and ensuring long-term value for our state.”
The newly acquired equipment is expected to significantly boost the operational capacity of the EWMB, enabling more efficient waste collection and disposal across the state.
The initiative aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s vision to make Edo State one of the cleanest in Nigeria, fostering an environment that attracts investors and improves public health.
Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi, Managing Director of the EWMB, hailed the governor’s intervention as a game-changer for environmental sanitation.
“With these new machines, we now have the capacity and capability to clean Edo more effectively,” he said.
“This is a sign that the governor truly cares about the welfare of the people.”
The governor also called on EWMB staff to ensure proper maintenance of the equipment to maximize its longevity and benefits for Edo residents.
He reiterated his administration’s focus on practical governance, prioritizing long-term investments over short-term, costly arrangements that enriched consultants and contractors.
This development follows other recent efforts by the EWMB, including the prosecution of over 160 sanitation offenders and plans for a 24-hour waste evacuation program set to commence in January 2025.
The board is also exploring partnerships with experts from India to establish a waste recycling plant, further signaling a comprehensive approach to tackling waste management challenges.
As Edo State takes bold steps towards environmental excellence, residents and stakeholders are optimistic that these initiatives will transform the state into a model of cleanliness and sustainability, delivering lasting benefits for all.
The equipment, which includes bulldozers, low-bed trucks, and tractors, was unveiled at the Government House in Benin City, marking a pivotal step towards a cleaner and healthier Edo State.
The commissioning ceremony, attended by key officials including Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa and Secretary to the State Government Musa Ikhilor, underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing long-standing waste management challenges.
Governor Okpebholo emphasized that the acquisition of this equipment puts an end to the unsustainable practice of renting machinery, which cost the state over ₦50 million monthly under the previous administration.
“For years, over ₦50 million was spent monthly to rent equipment, an unsustainable practice,” the governor stated.
"Today, these machines are fully owned by Edo people, for Edo people’s use. This is not just about waste management but about sustainability, accountability, and ensuring long-term value for our state.”
The newly acquired equipment is expected to significantly boost the operational capacity of the EWMB, enabling more efficient waste collection and disposal across the state.
The initiative aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s vision to make Edo State one of the cleanest in Nigeria, fostering an environment that attracts investors and improves public health.
Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi, Managing Director of the EWMB, hailed the governor’s intervention as a game-changer for environmental sanitation.
“With these new machines, we now have the capacity and capability to clean Edo more effectively,” he said.
“This is a sign that the governor truly cares about the welfare of the people.”
The governor also called on EWMB staff to ensure proper maintenance of the equipment to maximize its longevity and benefits for Edo residents.
He reiterated his administration’s focus on practical governance, prioritizing long-term investments over short-term, costly arrangements that enriched consultants and contractors.
This development follows other recent efforts by the EWMB, including the prosecution of over 160 sanitation offenders and plans for a 24-hour waste evacuation program set to commence in January 2025.
The board is also exploring partnerships with experts from India to establish a waste recycling plant, further signaling a comprehensive approach to tackling waste management challenges.
As Edo State takes bold steps towards environmental excellence, residents and stakeholders are optimistic that these initiatives will transform the state into a model of cleanliness and sustainability, delivering lasting benefits for all.
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