Ondo Waste Management Authority Chairperson, Mrs. Yinka Alabi, has reacted to the outcry by street sweepers who complained of being owed four months of their N35,000 monthly stipend.
The workers, who appear daily on major roads in Akure, had lamented trekking to work, economic hardship, and dangerous working conditions.
Responding to the reports on Wednesday, Mrs. Alabi acknowledged the distress the delay has caused and assured that the government is taking steps to prevent recurrence.
Shs however confirmed that the sweepers had been receiving their salary alerts.
According to earlier media reports, the sweepers—many of them widows and elderly women—said they had not received payment since July 2025.
One cleaner told a radio programme that although they are “supposed to receive N70,000 monthly, the agency pays N35,000, yet even that has been withheld for four months.” Another lamented spending “N2,000 daily on transportation” despite earning meagre wages.
Approval Delays Responsible — Alabi
Reacting to the concerns, Mrs. Alabi said the issue has been recurring due to administrative bottlenecks and late approvals.
“What we need to do is to make sure we are up and doing and get the approvals on time, so that we can process on time and get their payments across to them,” she said.
She affirmed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had already warned against late payment of sweepers’ stipends, saying:
“Mr Governor said it won’t be right for the salaries to be delayed.”
Appreciates Sweepers’ Hard Work
Alabi praised the workers for their diligence despite the financial strain.
“They’ve been diligent, they’ve been working. We appreciate them because they are doing a good job. Mr Governor loves them and has been showing it. Things will definitely get better,” she assured.
Cleaner Akure: Enforcement Now Working
Alabi also highlighted the progress in curbing indiscriminate dumping of refuse—an issue the sweepers said worsens their work conditions.
“If you go down that road now, you’ll see a sharp departure from before. Our enforcement and enlightenment drives are working,” she said.
She disclosed that offenders had been prosecuted at environmental courts, noting that the fines have served as deterrents.
“Some people we tried at the magistrate courts paid fines. Because of that, many are no longer involved in illegal dumping.”
Festive Season Waste Surge: Agency Deploys Trucks
With December approaching, Alabi announced new measures to manage higher waste generation during festivities.
“Naturally during festive periods, people generate more waste. This time, we’re making sure people containerize their waste,” she said.
The agency will distribute subsidized trash bags—“almost like giving it away”—and deploy trucks to strategic areas to prevent indiscriminate dumping.
“We will deploy trucks so people dump directly inside the truck and not on the ground.”
Appeals for Understanding, Thanks Governor Aiyedatiwa
Mrs. Alabi reaffirmed .the agency’s commitment to improving the sweepers’ welfare.
“We can only ask for more and better. We appreciate Mr Governor; the sweepers also appreciate him. We are working to make sure things get better.”
