Indiscriminate waste dumping sparks health concerns in FCT

Some residents of Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT, have expressed concern over the growing heaps of refuse on Zuba-Gwagwalada expressway, urging Gwagwalada Area Council to do the needful.

They said indiscriminate dumping of wastes on major roads without regular evaluation can pose serious environmental and health danger in the area.

The residents made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada, FCT.

They advised that designated waste collection sites should be provided within the district where residents could dump waste for proper evacuation to the designated dump sites.

According to them, the indiscriminate dumping of refuse all over the council, even on major roads is unhygienic, and uncalled for.

One of the residents, Mr Femi Ayoola said that the Gwagwalada, Zuba Expressway was a major concern.

According to him, the non availability of a proper waste collection sites have forced many residents to dump waste indiscriminately without any punishment.

“If there is a proper waste management culture and law, it will help to enforce proper waste management law and punish those who go against it.

“You see people carry their waste and dump it in the drainage and on the road without fear. You cannot punish them because no place(s) were provided for them,” he said.

Ayoola said residents should also learn to manage their waste properly.

Similarly, Mrs Chidimma Ukoji, a resident of Dagiri, said that non provision of a designated dump sites and irregular evacuation of waste by relevant authorities had contributed to dumping of waste on the roads and waterways.

According to Ukoji, some residents do not have waste bins in their respective homes. They always tie their waste in a nylon bag and dispose it anyhow.

She stressed the need to proffer lasting solutions to indiscriminate dumping of wastes in Gwagwalada, especially with the growing population of the area.

“People’s attitude towards waste management is a major concern to improving the way wastes are disposed. Some people do not care how they dispose their waste.

“Very soon the rainy season will start and all these waste on the road will find their way into the gutters and drainage which in return might cause flooding and even an outbreak of disease.

“There is need for residents to try and do the right things to prevent these environmental challenges,” she said.

Ukoji also called on the government to revive the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, saying this would help to keep the environment clean.

Another resident, Mrs Sarah Agboola described the trend of indiscriminate dumping of refuse as an eyesore that needs urgent attention.

Agboola appealed to the Gwagwalada Area Council to improve waste collection, provide disposal facilities and sanitation laws which must be enforced.

She advised community leaders to adopt responsible waste practices in their areas in order to improve environmental cleanliness and safeguard public health.

Also, Mr Bello Usman urged the council to rise up to its responsibilities and employ waste management contractors that would visit households on a stipulated dates to collect waste.

He said this would help to discourage the activities of ‘baban bola’ who go to houses collect these wastes and dump them indiscriminately.

“The Area Council is not doing what they are supposed to do, that is why you see these ‘baban bola’ collecting wastes from people and dumping them anywhere they feel like.

“When you drive along Gwagwalada-Zuba road, you will see that waste is gradually entering the road, some even defecate on this heap of waste on the road.

“This is a serious menace that needs to be tackled urgently and with all seriousness, if not one day we might be forced to drive or walk on waste that will have covered the roads,” he said.

Mrs Juliet Ajakaye said that effective waste management remains critical to achieving a clean and healthy environment in the council.

Ajakaye stressed the need for continued awareness campaigns against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, which she said was one of the causes of flooding in the area.

“There is need to continually educate residents on the importance of proper waste management and the effects of unhealthy environment.

“It is our individual responsibility to ensure our community is sanitised and clean at all times,” she said.

NAN recalls that the council had pledged to engage the services of private contractors for house to house evacuation of waste, but are yet to commence.

(NAN)