Environment
Group Tasks Nigerians On Refuse Disposal
An environmental movement, ‘Pick That Trash’ has called on Nigerians to stop dumping refuse indiscriminately to push the drive for an environmentally-healthy society.
The movement’s team leader, Mrs Ugochi Nwanze made the call in an interview with newsmen following the movement’s recent community clean-up exercise in Lagos.
Nwanze lamented the insensitivity of Nigerians over indiscriminate refuse dumping while she called for a joint cooperation between the government and populace to kick out the menace.
“We have to be clean. We realise that there are bigger problems, a mindset that says it is ok to drop things on the floor.
“A mindset that says it does not matter as long as it is not in my house, it is not my problem.
“For us to achieve a clean environment, it is not individuals alone that will be doing their own thing but the government and the people have to collaborate to make a clean environment possible,’’ she said.
Referring to the act as a “syndrome called trash boldness’’ Nwanze encouraged a proactive stand against the act, saying “we need to walk the talk, come down to the street and see that there is a lot to do.
“Nigerians are `trash blind’. To be comfortable with refuse and stench around your environment and do nothing about it is what it means to be trash blind.
“Trash blindness does not occur overnight but a numbing of the mind that there is no point in clearing up refuse because it will always resurface,’’ she said.
A volunteer of the movement, Mr Taiwo Adewole said the aim of the exercise was not just to clean the community but to sensitise the residents on the impact of an unclean environment and the benefits of recycling.
“We are here not just to pick up trash but to sensitise the people on the impact of what they are doing to the environment and at the same time enlighten the people on the benefits of recycling waste.
“They are encouraged to keep their environment clean and get something in return and create raw materials for industrial use,’’ he said.
Another volunteer and a recycling entrepreneur, Mr Allison Ukonu called for provision of infrastructure to aid proper disposal of refuse by Nigerians before enforcing sanctions on indiscriminate littering.
“When you see dirts litter in the street and confront people about it, they will tell you that there are no proper disposing stations or bins where they can dispose these items.
“I think there has to be a think-tank to solve Nigeria’s refuse management problems, let us not wait for a mishap like it has happened recently in another country.
“We need a think-tank and regulatory bodies that work in conjunction with NGOs to be able to sensitise people about litter before sanctioning,’’ Ukonu said.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27.
The agency said the alert followed rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday.
He said the affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
According to Mohammed, river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning thresholds.
He said 16 gauging stations nationwide were recording elevated river stages, placing nearby communities at risk of localised flooding.
Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures immediately.
NIHSA said Bauchi had the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified as vulnerable.
The agency also identified vulnerable communities and public facilities in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.
Mohammed urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local governments and community leaders to activate emergency response plans.
He recommended relocating residents, livestock and valuables from floodplains to safer locations
He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies and water treatment materials in areas likely to be affected.
“The NIHSA boss called for community mobilisation through early warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of flood alerts.
He cautioned residents against walking, driving or riding through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterway.
A cleaner environment begins with collective responsibility. That commitment was evident across Umuahia on Saturday as thousands of residents turned out to participate in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with officials describing the compliance level as one of the most encouraging in recent months.
The impressive turnout has renewed hope that Abia’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment is steadily becoming a culture rather than a routine exercise.
The July monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia recorded about 80% compliance.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment described the turnout as a strong indication that residents are embracing Governor Alex Otti’s vision for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, while calling for the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Watch groups to sustain the momentum.
The Abia State Government has commended residents of Umuahia for their impressive participation in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the turnout as a strong indication that citizens are embracing the state’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise across major parts of the Umuahia metropolis, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and urged residents to sustain the momentum.
According to him, the success recorded during the exercise reflects growing public support for the environmental agenda of the Labour Party-led administration.
“I think, so far, so good. At this point, what we need to do is sustain the momentum. We should move forward with establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch so that residents can monitor compliance and ensure the initiative is sustained,” he said.
Mr. Oriuwa further applauded both residents and the organisers for the success of the exercise.
“Well, I must say I am very impressed. I appreciate the organisers for putting this programme together. It has been highly impressive, and I believe participants have learnt a great deal. From what I have observed so far, everything has been well organised, and I think they are doing an excellent job. I encourage them to keep up the good work because programmes like this are beneficial to everyone,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that environmental sanitation should become a daily culture rather than an activity observed only on designated sanitation days.
Drawing from an Igbo proverb, he explained why communities must collectively protect their environment.
“An Igbo proverb says that a goat owned by the public often goes hungry. That is why establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch is important. It will encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that sanitation efforts are sustained.”
He also urged government agencies to strengthen enforcement by deploying environmental health officers to carry out routine inspections and ensure compliance with sanitation laws.
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