Nigeria’s increasing waste production has caught the attention of the United Nations (UN) due to the large amount of refuse that needs to be collected and instead cluttering public areas and drainage systems. Mercy Achieng Odhiambo, the UN-Habitat representative, revealed this during a Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT) Training session in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State. Environmental officers and other stakeholders attended the program, titled “Capacity Building for Effective Municipal Solid Waste Management,” which was coordinated by the State Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the African Clean Cities Platform and Waste Wise Cities.
She warned about the increasing refuse endangering human and animal existence, noting that the refuse was filled with toxic chemicals, accelerating environmental decline. She further expressed her distress over the rise in flood disasters and sanitation-related diseases in the country due to inadequate Waste Management and stressed the importance of government intervention to address the issue effectively. Odhiambo explained that through the training, Environmental Officers would be able to analyze refuse production, pinpoint critical players in the Recycling process, and create effective refuse management plans based on data analysis.
Dino bins are installed statewide for easy waste disposal and collection.
Mr. Akin Tobi, a UN Technical Support officer, stressed the importance of reliable data in effectively managing refuse in Ekiti State. He emphasized the importance of accurate waste generation data for Ado-Ekiti and stated the government’s strong focus on refuse management. Working with UN-Habitat, Ekiti was officially accepted as an African Clean Cities Platform member. In June, he mentioned that the state was among three African cities selected to participate in the Clean City program. The program focuses on training environmental officers in the state to measure the amount of refuse produced accurately and encourages self-reliance among participants.
Mrs. Tosin Aluko-Ajisafe, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Environment, recently emphasized the critical role of efficient refuse management in sustaining a habitable environment during a training session. She underscored Governor Oyebanji’s unwavering commitment to litter control, pointing out that Dino bins have been strategically placed across the state capital to ensure convenient garbage disposal and collection. These efforts, she explained, are part of a broader initiative to enhance Environmental Health and safety, demonstrating the administration’s proactive approach to maintaining a clean and sustainable state.
Lack of modern refuse processing facilities worsens environmental problems.
This challenge also happens in urban areas, such as Ibadan and Port Harcourt, which face notable challenges in managing refuse due to overpopulation, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of public awareness about proper disposal methods. Urbanization in these cities has strained current refuse management processes, resulting in trash buildup in both streets and water bodies. The lack of advanced refuse processing facilities worsens the issue, creating challenges in handling the large amounts of debris produced daily.
In contrast, poor refuse management worsens Public Health issues by promoting the transmission of diseases such as cholera, malaria, and smallpox. Inappropriate garbage dumping results in the harmful release of toxic chemicals, which pollute water sources and soil, creating significant health hazards for people. It also leads to an increase in disease-spreading insects like mosquitoes and flies. This challenge emphasizes the urgent requirement for thorough refuse management plans to protect public health and minimize environmental harm.
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Implementing successful measures to address the increasing health and environmental issues is crucial. Enhancing recycling practices offers a chance to tackle the debris management issue and generate economic advantages. Urban communities should have a prevalent informal recycling sector where people gather and Trade recyclable materials. Establishing a structure for this industry has the potential to generate employment opportunities, minimize inefficiencies, and promote an environmentally friendly economy. This will help each region to take responsibility while assisting informal sector workers.