By Abdullahi Lukman
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) project and Global Peace Development (GPD), a non-governmental organization, have partnered to enhance waste management in Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria.
At a two-day workshop held in Damaturu on Friday, GPD Executive Director Mr. Ebruke Esike announced that the training targeted Site Management Committees (SMCs) from Damaturu and Buni Yadi.
The goal is to empower them to monitor project implementation, ensure adherence to technical standards, and promote proper waste disposal to combat gully erosion and flooding.
Esike emphasized that poor waste disposal contributes to environmental degradation, leading to waterborne diseases and loss of livelihoods.
He noted that proper waste management not only reduces flooding and erosion but also creates opportunities through waste-to-resource conversion such as fertiliser and biogas.
Fifty participants attended the workshop and are expected to disseminate the knowledge within their communities.
Esike said outcomes from the training should include cleaner environments, fewer waterborne diseases, reduced flooding, and stronger capacity of SMCs in planning and executing waste-related interventions.
Speaking on behalf of the state ACReSAL office, Social Livelihood Officer Mr. Usman Inuwa—representing Project Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Shehu—highlighted the ongoing efforts by the Yobe State Government to control gully erosion and sensitize communities on waste management.
A participant, Jidda Mustapha, commended the training and pledged to educate his community on the dangers of dumping waste in drainage channels, a major contributor to erosion and flooding.
