Expert educates industries, households on waste management
Waste
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Dec. 24, 2018 (NAN) Mr Odumeru Musiliudeen, former National Vice Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has called on manufacturing companies and households to carefully manage their wastes to prevent environmental pollution.
Musiliudeen told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that proper waste management by companies could curtail arbitrary disposal of toxic wastes and pollution in the country.
According to him, due to the hazardous nature of chemicals from industrial activities, there is need for companies to go the extra mile to dispose the effluents appropriately.
“Poorly managed waste spreads disease, contaminates water resources, increases the cost of potable water, increases flooding, pollutes the air, and repulses tourists.
“Manufacturing processes can generate chemical wastes which could be toxic and pose threats to the environment and human health.
“Manufacturing industries should look for a way to recycle their wastes because all waste is recyclable.
“Residue needs to be channeled into the effluent treatment plants where it will be treated and re-used. And this could form an additional source of income,” Musiliudeen said.
He stressed that industries that did not have effluent treatment plant should endeavour to get one or register with waste management authorities.
“For the households, they should have septic tanks for the wastes at the front of their homes.
“The public need to desist from the ugly act of random disposal of wastes into the drainage canals particularly during rainy season.
“Trees and forest should not be cut or burnt. They are natural components that make the environment beautiful,” he said.
Musiliudeen noted that the safety of the environment was a collective responsibility of everyone in the society and should not be left to the government alone.
He, however, advised manufacturers and households to obey environmental regulations to help the government actualise its efforts in ensuring a safe and healthy environment. (NAN)
LUC/GOM/WOJ
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Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Wale Ojetimi