Residents of Dei Dei Community in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have raised concerns over poor waste disposal practices, warning that the situation poses serious risks to public health and the environment.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), residents identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse, inadequate waste collection services and poor sanitation habits as major challenges affecting the community.
They said heaps of uncollected waste have continued to pollute the environment, block drainage channels and increase the risk of disease outbreaks, particularly during the rainy season.
A trader, Mr Ibrahim Sani, said refuse was frequently dumped along roadsides and in open spaces because of the shortage of waste bins and irregular evacuation by waste management authorities.
“The smell from these dumps is unbearable, especially during the rainy season. The blocked drains also cause flooding whenever it rains.
“We need more waste collection points and regular evacuation by the relevant authorities,” he said.
A food vendor, Mrs Joy Eze, expressed concern over the health implications of poor waste disposal, noting that refuse dumps attract flies, mosquitoes and rodents capable of spreading diseases.
“We worry about children because they play around these dirty areas and can easily fall sick from contaminated surroundings,” she said.
Another resident, Mrs Chinyere Nnadinma, urged members of the community to stop indiscriminate waste disposal and embrace proper sanitation practices.
“We all have a role to play. People should dispose of their waste properly instead of throwing it into gutters and open spaces,” she said, while encouraging residents to participate actively in community sanitation exercises.
An environmental health officer, Mr Chidi Okoli, warned that poor waste management could lead to outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhoea and other communicable diseases.
He explained that decomposing waste contaminates soil and water sources, while the burning of refuse releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Okoli advocated regular waste collection, adequate disposal facilities, recycling initiatives and sustained public awareness campaigns. He also called for stricter enforcement of environmental sanitation laws to curb indiscriminate refuse dumping.
The residents appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and relevant environmental agencies to provide more waste bins, ensure prompt evacuation of refuse and intensify public enlightenment on proper waste disposal.
They expressed optimism that improved waste management would create a cleaner environment, reduce the incidence of disease outbreaks and enhance the quality of life in the Dei Dei community.
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