LAUTECH unveils new campus sanitation initiative

The management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, has unveiled the LAUTECH Green and Clean Initiative, a new environmental management system aimed at promoting a cleaner, greener and more sustainable campus while improving the welfare of workers engaged in environmental services.

According to a statement issued by the university’s Public Relations Office on Friday, the initiative was approved by LAUTECH’s Governing Council following a report by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Razaq Kalilu.

The statement added that the Vice-Chancellor’s report was based on the recommendation of the University Environmental Management Committee after a comprehensive review of the institution’s previous environmental management structure.

It disclosed that the review identified operational challenges that limited the effectiveness of the former daily-paid arrangement in delivering the standard of environmental sanitation and maintenance expected by the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor, according to the statement, said the Green and Clean Initiative was designed to institutionalise a sustainable environmental management system that reflects the university’s commitment to excellence while ensuring better welfare for workers providing essential environmental services.

“Our objective is to institutionalise a sustainable environmental management system that reflects the university’s commitment to excellence while ensuring improved welfare for those who provide these essential services,” Kalilu was quoted as saying.

The statement noted that the new framework would provide a more efficient, accountable and sustainable system for maintaining offices, lecture halls, sanitary facilities and other public spaces across the campus.

It added that personnel engaged in environmental services would benefit from a more structured employment system, including improved remuneration, health insurance and other welfare packages that were largely unavailable under the previous arrangement.

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According to the university, the initiative is also expected to deliver cleaner conveniences, improved waste management and a more aesthetically pleasing campus environment that supports teaching, learning, research and innovation.

The management said it had requested the service provider handling the initiative to give priority to workers previously engaged under the daily-paid system before recruiting additional personnel.

It noted that the firm accepted the request and assured the university that affected workers would continue to be engaged while receiving clarification on the terms and conditions of employment under the new arrangement.

The university, however, expressed concern over a video circulating on social media containing allegations about the implementation of the initiative, saying the claims did not reflect the true position of events or the process leading to the reform.

It stated that affected workers were carried along throughout the transition process and were adequately informed about the reasons for the reform, its objectives and the opportunities available under the new arrangement.

The management urged members of the public to disregard what it described as misleading narratives capable of creating unnecessary apprehension about the initiative.

It maintained that the Green and Clean Initiative was a strategic institutional reform aimed at strengthening environmental sustainability, improving service delivery and providing a healthier and more conducive environment for staff, students and visitors.

The university reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness and responsible governance, adding that it would continue to pursue policies and initiatives that promote institutional excellence and enhance the welfare of members of the university community.