NAN-AE-7
Refuse
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, March 8, 2017 (NAN) Residents of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried indiscriminate disposal of refuse into gutter, waterways and walkway along Nyanya, Karu, Jikowyi and Karsh axis of the FCT.
Some concerned residents who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in separate interviews on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the act was becoming unbearable.
Mr Godson Bello said that the attitude of some residents who dumped refuse along walkways, waterways and drains was becoming worrisome and irritating.
Bello said that the indiscriminate discharging of waste into the gutter, walkways and streams could cause perennial flooding in the FCT, particularly in the swampy areas.
He said that the ugly development could expose the residents to contagious diseases.
Bello appealed to the FCT Administration and relevant agencies to clear the refuse in such areas.
Mr Fatai Oduh, another resident and a civil servant, said that the situation was becoming unbearable.
Oduh said that families were no longer safe from malaria, cholera and diarrhoea attacks as the refuse kept on increasing on daily basis.
“As soon as the rainy season starts, the refuse can cause overflows of water and such situation can put people in perpetual fear or danger.
“I want to appeal to the government to come to our aid in bringing this menace under control so that our people will not be exposing to diseases,’’ he said.
Mrs Agnes Isiagu said that the situation was an eyesore, adding that it could endanger people`s health.
Isiagu said that such filthy environment could equally make the streets unattractive and discomfort to people as well as visitors.
“Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has intervened by engaging the services of waste contractors who come around those areas to evacuate refuse three times in a week, but the three days are not enough.
“The contractors should know that wastes are generated every second, so it should be a daily activity because three days are not enough,’’ she said.
Mrs Grace Godson, a legal practitioner in the FCT said that despite the AEPB intervention, waste had continued piling along the roadsides and gutter in the FCT.
Godson, who blamed the development on people’s attitude, added that residents preferred to dump refuse on the roads instead of designated containers.
“The inhuman attitude of the residents has made evacuation of waste difficult.
“People should help the government to complement its little effort, we are not doing it for any government but we are only helping ourselves.
“People should also learn to make appropriate use of their waste bins at their various homes, offices and business places.
“We should always learn how to keep our surroundings clean.
“I am appealing to the residents to always utilise the refuse dumping sites properly in order to ensure a clean and hygienic environment.’’ (NAN)
VOE/GOM/MO
=============Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Morayo Omolade