Experts in the environmental sector in Abuja on Sunday decried the indiscriminate dumping of wastes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The experts, who spoke to journalists in separate interviews, condemned the indiscriminate dumping of wastes in drains, gutters and streets.

Osi Braimah, Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), said the board was presently handling approximately 500 tonnes of mixed wastes per day.

Mr said Braimah the wastes include pet bottles, organic and food materials and domestic wastes.

“We really encourage recycling because this will help us to increase the lifespan of the dumpsites as the one we are using now is about 90 hectares, and it is filling up every day.

“If residents of the FCT begin to implement waste recycling, minimisation and reuse, it will extend the life of the dumpsite.

“We strongly encourage residents of FCT  to try all these out for a clean city and profit, ” he said.

The director maintained that plastic pollution had become a problem to the world, saying Nigeria was not an exception.

“We also need to join hands to  work on getting plastics that can biodegrade in the environment,” he said.

Joseph Onoja, director general, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, decried the attitude of dumping refuse in drainages properly constructed.

Mr Onoja called on the federal government to enforce its regulations and sanctions.

“We have beautiful laws in Nigeria, but they don’t bite as they should, so we would continue to encourage the government to implement these laws to ensure that things were done the way they should,” he said.

(NAN)