The World Sustainable Development Goals Organisation has called on relevant authorities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prioritise the timely evacuation and proper management of refuse dump sites across communities.

The group’s Executive Director for West Africa, Fubes Danor, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the evacuation of 3rd Avenue Gwarimpa refuse dump site.

Mr Danor raised concern over the growing number of neglected dump sites in urban and semi-urban areas.

According to him, such dumps not only contaminate water and air, but also serve as breeding grounds for disease-causing organisms, thereby endangering the lives of residents.

He said, “Unattended waste poses grave health and environmental hazards. Improper waste management is one of the biggest contributors to environmental degradation and public health challenges. We urge governments, local councils, private stakeholders, residents and community members to ensure that refuse dump sites are evacuated and cleared regularly.’’

Mr Danor said that timely interventions would align with global best practices of sustainable development and help Nigeria meet its environmental targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The group’s National Director on Clean Waters and Sanitation, Ijeoma Nwachokor, said that timely evacuation of refuse dump sites was critical to protecting public health and the environment.

Ms Nwachokor noted that unattended dumps contaminate water sources, clog drainage systems, lead to flooding during the rainy season and outbreak of diseases.

“When refuse is left unattended, it not only pollutes our water sources but also increases the risk of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and malaria. We call on the authorities to act swiftly and consistently to safeguard the wellbeing of residents,” she said.

She called for partnership with the government and other organisations with similar mandates on environmental sanitation in accordance with the UN sustainable development goals.

According to her, Nigerians must raise awareness on the dangers of unattended dump sites, as well as collaborate to evacuate sites across the city and ensure a clean and healthy environment.

A petty trader in the community, Abigail Ishaya, commended the group for the initiative to clear the dump site and provide temporary waste management bins to curtail reckless refuse dumping.

Mr Ishaya said, with the provided bins, it would be easier for the authorities to evacuate the site when filled, however, she said that frequent evacuation was needed to prevent pileups.

“We have voiced out severally and appealed to Abuja Environmental Protection Board to help us clear the site periodically. The delay in clearing the dump site is what often results in this large pileup of refuse that usually claims half of the road, causing vehicular traffic situations and clogging drainage channels,” she said.

Also, a resident of the community, Peter Ekemeni, urged the government to adopt waste disposal practices such as recycling to reduce plastic use and waste.

He also called for stronger enforcement of sanitation laws and prosecution of offenders of reckless dumping.

“Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. When waste is managed sustainably it improves not only public health but also the quality of life for future generations. It is time for environmental sanitation laws to be enforced, and sanitation policing practised curbing illicit dumping, and anyone found dumping refuse in undesignated places to be prosecuted to serve as deterrent,” he said.

 (NAN)