Nasarawa: Poor waste management fuels pollution, disease outbreaks — NASWAMSA, DPI
Nasarawa State Director-General Highlights Waste Management Challenges
Nasarawa State, Nigeria – The Director-General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), Hon. Dr. Mohammed Bello Isa, emphasized the dangers of indiscriminate waste dumping during a cleanup and environmental sensitization event on Tuesday. The exercise was organized by Digital Peers International and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Isa, represented by the Director of Waste Management at NASWAMSA, stressed that environmental cleanliness is essential for community health, safety, and economic well-being. He noted that improper waste disposal leads to significant issues including environmental degradation, flooding, air and water pollution, and public health challenges such as vector-borne diseases.
“Every improperly disposed waste item has the potential to become a source of disease and economic loss,” Isa remarked, underscoring that waste management requires a collective effort. “The challenge cannot be left to the government alone. Environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility,” he added, calling on every household, business, institution, market association, community leader, and citizen to contribute.
Isa urged residents to adopt principles of waste reduction, proper segregation, recycling, and resource recovery. He encouraged responsible disposal practices and active community participation in sanitation activities, stating that a clean environment reflects responsible citizenship and is an investment in future generations.
Dr. Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, a retired Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment and CEO of Digital Peers International, also addressed the gathering. She called for the promotion of environmental sustainability, responsible plastic use, and innovative solutions to plastic pollution, not only in Nasarawa State but also beyond its borders.
Odusote highlighted the importance of building awareness, fostering behavioral change, and supporting green enterprises. She advocated for creating sustainable opportunities for young people within the plastic value chain, emphasizing the need for collective action in addressing waste management challenges.
