Some residents of the Dei-Dei community in the Bwari Area Council, FCT, have expressed concern over poor waste disposal practices, saying the situation poses serious threats to public health and the environment.
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‎The respondents who spoke during interviews on Wednesday identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse, inadequate waste collection services and poor public attitude toward sanitation as major challenges confronting the community.
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‎According to them, growing heaps of uncollected waste are polluting the environment, blocking drainage channels and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
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‎A trader, Ibrahim Sani, said refuse was often dumped along roadsides and in open spaces due to the absence of sufficient waste bins and irregular evacuation by waste management authorities.
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‎He said, “The smell from these dumps is unbearable, especially during the rainy season. The blocked drains also cause flooding whenever it rains.
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‎“We need more waste collection points and regular evacuation by the relevant authorities. “
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‎A food vendor, Joy Eze, expressed concern over the health implications of poor waste disposal, saying it attracted flies, mosquitoes and rodents capable of spreading diseases.
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‎“We worry about children because they play around these dirty areas and can easily fall sick from contaminated surroundings,” she said.
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‎Another resident, Chinyere Nnadinma, said overflowing refuse dumps attracted disease-carrying pests and urged residents to stop indiscriminate waste disposal and adopt proper sanitation practices.
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‎“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.
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‎She also encouraged residents to participate actively in community sanitation exercises.
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‎An environmental health officer, Chidi Okoli, said improper waste management could lead to outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhoea and other communicable diseases.
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‎He explained that decomposing waste contaminated soil and water sources, while the burning of refuse released harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
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‎According to him, effective waste management requires regular waste collection, adequate disposal facilities, recycling initiatives and sustained public sensitisation.
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‎He also advocated stricter enforcement of environmental sanitation laws to discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
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‎Residents urged the FCTA and environmental agencies to provide more waste bins, evacuate refuse more frequently and intensify public awareness on proper waste disposal.
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‎They expressed optimism that improved waste management would promote a cleaner environment, reduce disease outbreaks and enhance the overall quality of life in the Dei-Dei community.

(NAN)