To prevent the emergence of disease outbreaks in Ondo State, the state Chairman of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, Sanitarian Funke Babajide, has called for proper waste disposal among residents.
This call was made during a one-day sensitization workshop held on Wednesday, centered on the socio-economic implications of indiscriminate waste dumping along motorway and key areas in Akure.
During the program, the Chairman of the Ondo State Waste Management Authority (OSWMA), Mrs. Yinka Alabi, sought collective collaboration from stakeholders to achieve a conducive environment.
She highlighted the effects of improper waste disposal in the state, which include an increase in flooding and erosion, traffic congestion, and accidents, among others.
Explaining further, Mrs. Alabi stated that the state has witnessed rampant dumping in strategic locations due to a lack of adequate waste management infrastructure, posing environmental, health, and economic hazards.
While calling for the urgent use of trash bags in allocated waste stations, she pushed for creating awareness of best waste practices and the development and implementation of proper waste management strategies.
The Hope Newspaper reported that to enforce waste management strategies, Alabi underscored the importance of active participation in monthly cleanup exercises and monitoring market women weekly.
“Special and regular clean-up exercises should be embraced, promoted, and executed while collaborating with state government-registered and identified Private Sector Partners (PSPs) to achieve efficient waste collection services,” she noted.
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She praised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his involvement in keeping the environment clean and warned of disciplinary action against environmental violators.
To advert the spread of Lassa fever in the state, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr. Olumide Kinga, urged residents to maintain a healthy environment, particularly in Shasha Market and Oke-Aro, where illegal dumping sites are located.
Continuing the call, the State Chairman of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Mr. Wahab Olokungboye, asked residents to package their waste properly during evacuation and also appealed for a good management structure.
The Iyaloja of NEPA Market, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Aisida, urged the government to deploy additional waste trucks to facilitate the timely evacuation of refuse, ensuring a healthier marketplace.
Speaking at a public lecture, Sanitarian Abiodun David, Head of the Environmental Health Department at Ondo State College of Health Technology, Akure, addressed the socio-economic impact of indiscriminate waste dumping.
He defined waste as any discarded material and categorized it into various types, including hazardous, electronic, medical, and biodegradable waste.
David outlined key waste management methods such as recycling, incineration, landfilling, and sea dumping.
He stressed the dangers of unchecked waste disposal, highlighting the need for stringent policies, sustainable practices, and increased public awareness to mitigate environmental and health hazards.
He urged the government to enact and enforce regulations to curb indiscriminate dumping, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for all.
