23rd November, 2017
An ecologist, Mr Habib Omotosho, has urged stakeholders in the waste management sector to properly undertake waste disposal schemes to prevent the outbreak and spread of diseases in communities.
Omotosho, who is the National Coordinator, Environmental Advancement Initiative, an NGO, gave the advice in an interview the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday.
He ascribed several illnesses afflicting the people to the lack of proper waste management channels in the country, saying that this it was also responsible for some environmental hazards.
“If wastes such as human excreta, liquid and solid waste from households and communities are not properly managed, they can cause serious health hazards and lead to the spread of infectious diseases.
“Uncleared garbage lying around in a neighbourhood attracts flies, rats and other vectors of disease which spread diseases. This leads to unhygienic conditions and a rise in the health problems in the area.
“In Nigeria, solid waste disposal sites are found on the outskirts of urban areas. However, these areas become sources of contamination to the people, particularly children, due to the incubation and proliferation of flies, mosquitoes, and rodents at the sites.’’
Omotosho underscored the need for the government to initiate good waste disposal procedures so as to safeguard the health of the people and their environment.
He also advised the people to make tangible efforts to keep their surroundings dirt-free and disease-free at all times.