By John Dike, Osogbo
The Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun has condemned the reported arrest of residents over improper waste disposal, the alleged imposition of ₦50,000 fines and the public circulation of videos showing suspected offenders on social media.
The group called on the Osun State Government to establish an effective and accessible waste management system before enforcing sanctions against residents accused of violating environmental regulations.
In a press statement issued on Friday, October 9, 2026, and signed by its Convener, Comrade Olowu Emmanuel, the network expressed concern over the state’s ongoing waste management enforcement, describing the current approach as inadequate without corresponding waste collection and disposal facilities.
While acknowledging the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment, the group argued that residents must be provided with practical alternatives for disposing of their waste before being penalised for improper disposal.
It said the existing arrangement involving Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators was insufficient to meet the needs of many communities across the state.
According to the group, some operators reportedly visit certain areas only once every one or two months, leaving residents with limited opportunities to dispose of their waste properly.
The network urged the government to establish a comprehensive waste management framework detailing collection schedules, designated disposal points and the responsibilities of the government, private operators and residents.
It maintained that arrests and fines alone would not resolve the state’s waste management challenges without an efficient system to support compliance.
The group also warned that enforcing waste disposal regulations without providing adequate alternatives could encourage residents to burn refuse or dump it in drainages.
Such practices, it said, could worsen air pollution, obstruct waterways, increase flooding and create additional environmental and public health problems.
The network consequently called on the government to make its comprehensive waste management policy public and ensure that it addresses the practical challenges confronting residents across the state.
It also questioned the legal basis for the reported ₦50,000 fine imposed on alleged environmental offenders, urging the Osun Waste Management Agency to explain the authority under which the penalty was being enforced.
The group further condemned what it described as the inhumane treatment of alleged offenders, insisting that the recording and circulation of their videos on social media must stop immediately.
It stressed that anyone accused of violating environmental regulations should be treated with dignity and in accordance with the law.
Beyond enforcement, the network urged the state government to explore the economic opportunities available in the waste management sector, noting that the industry could generate employment, attract private investment and increase government revenue.
It called for greater participation by qualified private operators and increased investment in recycling and modern waste processing facilities.
According to the group, the state should prioritise building a sustainable waste management system that makes proper disposal accessible to residents while creating economic opportunities, rather than relying primarily on arrests and penalties.
As an immediate intervention, the network urged the government to reintroduce the monthly environmental sanitation exercise for at least the next two to three months while developing a permanent solution to the state’s waste management challenges.
It also called for more effective enforcement of the weekly Thursday market sanitation exercise, supported by adequate arrangements for waste collection and evacuation.
Reaffirming its position, the group said it was not opposed to lawful environmental enforcement but maintained that the government must first provide a functional waste disposal system that enables residents to comply with environmental regulations.
It urged the state government to engage civil society organisations, environmental experts, market associations and private operators in developing lasting solutions.
The statement added that achieving a clean environment required more than arrests, stressing the need for adequate infrastructure, accessible services, respect for citizens’ rights and fair enforcement of the law.
