By Faridat Salifu
The United Nations has warned authorities over abandoned waste in the open spaces in most urban centres in Nigeria noting this could lead to environmental deterioration capable of endangering human and animal life.
A recent UN report highlighted mounting waste generation problems particularly in the urban centres across the country.
A representative of the UN-Habitat, Mercy Achieng Odhiambo, highlighted the possible effects of abandoning waste in the open during a one-day Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT) training session for Environmental Officers and key stakeholders at the State Ministry of Environment in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.
The training, themed “Capacity Building for Effective Municipal Solid Waste Management,” was conducted in collaboration with the African Clean Cities Platform.
Odhiambo stressed the urgent need for improved waste management systems, stating that the growing refuse not only poses an existential threat but also contains harmful chemicals that exacerbate environmental challenges.
She said inadequate waste management has resulted in increased flooding and sanitation-related diseases throughout Nigeria, urging governmental bodies at all levels to prioritize proper waste management initiatives.
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“The training is designed to equip Environmental Officers with the skills necessary to assess waste generation, identify stakeholders in the recovery chain, and formulate data-driven strategies for enhanced waste management,” Odhiambo explained.
A Technical Support officer with the UN, Mr. Akin Tobi, emphasized on the importance of quality data in managing waste, particularly in Ado-Ekiti.
“We need precise data regarding the volume of waste generated in the city. The government is committed to tackling waste issues, and in collaboration with UN-Habitat, Ado-Ekiti has joined the African Clean Cities Platform,” he said.
Tobi also noted that, in June, Ado-Ekiti was selected as one of three African cities to benefit from assistance in the clean city initiative, which included training for environmental officers on how to effectively measure waste generation.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Tosin Aluko- Ajisafe, underscored the critical nature of effective waste management for the environmental sustainability of the state. “This training is vital in ensuring that our state remains habitable,” she emphasized.
Aluko-Ajisafe reiterated the commitment of the Oyebanji-led administration to improve waste management in Ekiti, highlighting recent initiatives such as the installation of Dino bins at strategic locations across the state capital to facilitate the proper disposal and collection of waste.
The continual cooperation between national and international organizations, such as Waste Wise Cities and the African Clean Cities Platform, will facilitate waste management growth as Nigeria faces its waste management difficulties.
