Environment
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday sensitized the public to proper waste disposal to prevent disasters associated with improper waste management.
The NEMA Director-General, retired AVM Mohammadu Mohammed, said at a stakeholders’ meeting in Jos that improper waste disposal had a great negative impact on the environment.
Mohammed represented by Eugene Nyelong, North Central Zonal Coordinator, NEMA, said that non-biodegradable waste causes blockages to drainage systems and obstructs the flow of water during the rainy season.
“This usually contributes to flooding in Nigeria.
“The buildup of garbage could also stop the natural flow of water in rivers, streams, contaminate them and cause deadly diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and other epidemics,” he said.
The director-general explained that the sensitization was part of NEMA’s continuous awareness creation for a disaster and risk-free society, particularly on proper waste management.
He noted that the meeting became necessary, especially now that are at the verge of the rainy season with its attendant challenges.
According to him, waste generation around the world is assuming an alarming dimension due to the rapid increase in population growth.
“Research has shown that in Nigeria, over 95 percent of waste generated is often disposed of in an unregulated dumpsite or openly burned.
“Within Nigeria and particularly the North Central Zone, non-biodegradable waste generation and improper management, has been a significant challenge in the past decade.
“Studies have shown that improper disposal of waste leads to health and environmental hazards, thereby affecting the life expectancy of the citizens.
“It also has a negative impact on the environment which sometimes leads to air pollution and contributes to global warming as well as climate change,” he added.
Alhaji Shehu Usman, Chairman, Jos North Local Government, commended NEMA for the initiative, which he described as timely.
Usman said that prevention was better than cure, adding that if people internalize guidelines and directives on how to dispose of waste, it would reduce the resources channeled into handling disasters which could be used for other development projects.
The chairman urged the participants to step down the messages to members of their respective communities.
He said that the Jos Local Government had made it a duty to consistently sensitize citizens of the area to the danger posed by indiscriminate waste disposal. (NAN)
2020 Apr 22 @ 14:34 GMT|
Tags: NEMA sensitises public to proper waste disposal
