OGWAMA Launches Blue Box Initiative to Transform Waste to Wealth in Ota

OGWAMA Launches Blue Box Initiative to Transform Waste to Wealth in Ota

By Olatunji Peter

The Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) has launched the Blue Box Initiative in Ota, aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices and transforming waste into wealth. The initiative was launched on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Ijamido Hall, Ota.

The Special Adviser/CEO of OGWAMA, Hon. Abayomi Semako Hunye, explained the usefulness of the initiative, highlighting its potential to help society deal with renewable waste products like pet bottles and other related materials. According to him, the OGWAMA Blue Box Initiative's goal is to promote source-based waste separation, encouraging households to sort waste for recycling to reduce pollution and create wealth through job creation and resource recovery.

The initiative's mission is to foster household waste separation at the source through structured, house-to-house collection and recycling programs, promoting a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment in Ogun State. Its vision is to transform Ogun State into a leading example of sustainable waste management, where waste is not just a disposal problem but a resource for wealth and job creation.

Hon. Abayomi Semako Hunye noted that each Community Development Association (CDA) will have a representative to deal directly with the Blue Box Initiative Operators, and payment per kilogram will be made through the representative. Participants will earn N200 per kilogram of waste collected, with N50 going to the CDA representative.

The Special Adviser/CEO urged everyone to see the initiative as an opportunity to create wealth and appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun for giving OGWAMA the opportunity to launch the program. He emphasized that the initiative will allow for a cleaner environment and make the state more habitable.

The Director of Special Duties and Recycling, Mrs. Babatunde Temitope, supported the initiative by educating secondary school students on the importance of keeping renewable materials after use instead of throwing them away.

Notable associations, including the United Recycling and Supplier Association of Nigeria and the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, commended the initiative and pledged to work with OGWAMA to support the mission behind the Blue Box Initiative.

Dignitaries at the launch included Hon. Jide Ojuko, Hon. Lai Taiwo, Alhaji Soji Olusesi, market leaders, traditional leaders, and students from various schools in Ota.