IBADAN - The Oyo State Government says it has engaged 1,500 cleaners and allocated the 32 roundabouts in Ibadan to banks for decoration as part of the measures to keep the city clean.

The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Mukail Aborode, said this in Ibadan at a news conference.

He was reacting to a publication by Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural group, which accused the government of awarding a N9.3 billion waste disposal contract with a foreign firm.

“I am surprised about Afenifere’s allegation, which contains no iota of truth.

“Oyo state was dirty when we came on board; we have decided to have a new Ibadan city and make Ibadan one of the cleanest cities in the country,” he said.

The commissioner admitted that the government entered into an agreement with a foreign company, Zia Mettalurgical Processes, Dallas , USA to convert waste into ethanol and electricity.