By George George Idowu
The Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun Stephen, has called on the people of Kogi State to support the government’s efforts by utilizing only authorized dumpsites exclusively in order to mitigate health and environmental risks associated with improper waste disposal.
He made this call when a paid a visit to the state temporary dump site on Friday for an on-the-spot assessment to determine the current state of affairs.
The commissioner who was with the permanent secretary of the ministry and other relevant stakeholders scrutinized the site’s dire conditions and noted the absence of maintenance machinery.
Expressing concern over the hazardous dumping practices endangering residents’ lives, the Commissioner stressed the imperative of robust waste collection and evacuation mechanisms for environmental preservation.
He affirmed the state government’s commitment to fostering a clean and sustainable environment across Kogi State.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Jibrin Sheidu, underscored that all waste generated in Lokoja metropolis ends up at the dump site.
He further emphasized the urgent need for machinery, especially bulldozers, to contain the site’s expansion encroaching on the road.