http://www.newsportng.com.ng It has been said that ‘health is wealth.’ The indiscriminate dumping of refuse in most Kaduna communities, despite the high level of civilization has become a thing of great concern in recent time.
It is no longer news that our energy production including irresponsible waste management contribute directly to climate change by adding carbon-based particles into the air, which are produced during the burning of petroleum products.
During our visit to some communities in Chikun Local Government Area, in Kaduna state, some traders and residents of sabo market including Narayi axis, lamented over the high rate of environmental pollution, caused by dumping of indiscriminate waste in the area.
Some of the traders while lamenting on Monday, said the refuse dump opposite refinery Bustop in the area has posed a serious health hazard on the rural dwellers.
A resident of Sabo, Oguchukwu Duru, who was fielding questions from News-Port Nigeria, decried that the littering of the Market and environs with refuse waste has become unbearable as residents and traders now drop their waste anywhere which has turned the market into an eyesore.
Oguchukwu said, “We are in a serious hazardous health hazard exposing us and our children without any modalities from the Government, rather we were threatened by Police Sabo’s division for taking a stand that the refuse waste should not be dumped in the street.”
Also, Mrs. Cecelia Ahmed who resides in Narayi community, said “the indiscriminate littering of the refuse has affected our bore-hole water and with maggots entering our compound.
“The waste disposal truck Operators are not prompt towards the clearing of the waste. The waste has been here for over a week”, she lamented.
News-Port Nigeria gathered that the Mu’azu streets that lead into the market have almost been covered with waste, leaving passersby with no option than to cover their nostrils while passing the area.
Mr. Simon Ayuba,, said most times, they resulted to the burning of the refuse but because of the rainy season, they finds it difficult due to dull weather.
Now, it is also worthy of note that waste burning is a significant source of dangerous carcinogens like dioxins and black carbon, a short-lived climate pollutant that contributes to climate change, increased melting in polar regions due to the deposition of soot and black carbon on snow and ice, and numerous human health issues.
Moreso, the effects of indiscriminate waste cannot be overemphasized because if landfill is not properly managed, it has the ability to create intense health hazards and environmental threats to human.
Environmental concerns such as global warming, ozone layer depletion, pollution, and land degradation have resulted from indiscriminate and unrestrained resource extraction with no regard for the future.
Therefore, landfill area must be well enclosed to avoid waste dispersal by wind, infestation of rats, mice or other dangerous creeping animals and the waste becoming messy when it rains.
Conclusively, it is important that both residents and government at all levels try everything possible to enhance the prosperity of our surrounding, even as cleanliness is next to godliness.
Indiscriminate dumping of refuse