The Editor
A Non-Governmental Organisation, with interest in environmental safety and cleanliness, ‘Dobe Anambra Ocha’, has sensitised residents to safer refuse disposal practices as parts of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and cleanliness in Anambra State.
The sensitisation and monitoring exercise, which was led by the Managing Director of group, Okafor Ernest Obinna, is aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness and encourage residents to see proper waste disposal as a civic responsibility.
Obinna, who addressed some residents during exercise conducted at various refuse disposal flashpoints in Awka, the Anambra State capital, over the weekend, called on them to adopt safer and more responsible refuse disposal practices.
He highlighted the importance of educating the people on the dangers of unhealthy refuse disposal to the environment and to their wellbeing, adding that not disposal of waste properly results in environmental menace.
According to him, the exercise is to ensure the right environmental practices and standards are maintained so as to with the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of “making Anambra a clean, green, livable and prosperous state in Nigeria by 2070”.
Obinna explained that improper refuse handling and disposal has become a menace to the environment in Anambra State, resulting in the blockage of drainages and water channels, which can be prevented by safety measures.
He said, “This is an initiative started by a group of friends who came together to promote environmental cleanliness and encourage residents to see proper waste disposal and keeping the environment clean is a civic responsibility.
“The rainy season had exposed the consequences of indiscriminate refuse disposal, with waste materials frequently obstructing drainage channels and affecting major roads.
“During the rainy season, you find out that wastes blocked drainages and water channels thereby resulting in water spilling into the road and blocking the roads. This also results to flooding. This is a result of debris from improper disposal of refuse by residents.”
Obinna identified corn leaves, sachet-water plastics, containers, cartons and other forms of domestic wastes as some of the materials commonly found blocking the gutters and other drainage channels.
“This development prompted the group to embark on sensitisation activities aimed at encouraging residents to dispose their wastes at government-designated collection points rather than dumping it in gutters.
“Reducing indiscriminate dumping of refuse will significantly reduce flooding and erosion-related challenges across the state.
“If we stop dumping refuse inside gutters, 60 per cent of erosion happening in Anambra will stop, and residents living in the state will have a fresh breath of air.
“During periods of heavy rainfall, refuse and other debris dumped in drainage channels often obstruct the free flow of water, causing it to spill onto roads and other areas,” he added.
He said the exercise marked the first stage of the group’s activities, adding that ‘Dobe Anambra Ocha’, was committed to supporting efforts aimed at making Anambra a more liveable and sustainable state.
He also referenced Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s emphasis on environmental sustainability, saying that the environment remains an important component of the state’s development agenda while calling on NDI Anambra to embrace the solution agenda on environment.
“We are here to sensitise the people on the need to be cautious about our environment. Whatever activity you are engaged in, whether it is a business or office activity, after carrying it out, clean up the area and dispose of the waste properly,” Okafor said.
The group urged residents to take greater responsibility for their surroundings and cooperate with relevant authorities by using designated waste disposal points to help keep drainage channels clear and reduce the risk of flooding.
