Scientists have issued a warning to citizens, urging them to refrain from littering the environment with solid waste to prevent food disasters and the spread of waterborne diseases in communities.
Comrade Nurudden Bello, a science-climatologist from the College of Health Science and Technology and the Director of African Climate Reporters, highlighted the detrimental impact of throwing various forms of trash and garbage into gutters. This behavior significantly contributes to flood disasters, the spread of dangerous infections, and environmental pollution.
During an interactive session with stakeholders on preventing floods and other ecological challenges in Kaduna and some Northern States of Nigeria, Bello emphasized the need for collective efforts to combat flood disasters and protect humans, animals, and other living organisms in the environment.
He urged citizens to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, specifically by preventing flooding through the proper disposal of trash and garbage from gutters, thus safeguarding their homes from flood-related disasters.
Bello stressed that gutters are not designed for solid waste and that dumping garbage into them leads to flooding, posing a threat to aquatic animals and other species in the environment.
He urged citizens to be responsible and avoid dumping trash into gutters to prevent harm to aquatic life and waterborne diseases.
He further stated that his organization plans to leverage social media to raise awareness among millions of African youths about the harmful effects of throwing plastic waste and polythene bags into rivers and oceans.
Additionally, Bello called on agencies such as SEMA, NEMA, Red Cross, and other humanitarian NGOs to intensify their efforts in educating the general public about the dangers associated with dumping hazardous chemical waste into gutters.