Abuja Refuse Dumps Now Constitute Health Hazard To Residents

In 1991, Abuja was named to replace Lagos as the Federal Capital of Nigeria due to the latter’s problems that include overcrowding, poor housing condition, inadequate basic services, and dilapidated infrastructure.

With an estimated population of over five million, the FCT is currently facing huge urbanization challenges, including the management of refuse collection and sewerage services due to financial and institutional constraints, as well as rapid migration of people due to perceived employment opportunities.

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Health experts have said that the provision of adequate sanitation and garbage collection services to city residents is an increasingly important public health, livelihood, and policy issue.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reaffirms UN’s commitment concerning garbage collection which involves evacuation, sorting, and safe disposal of solid waste. This, according to the UN is one of the vital public services and a useful indicator of good governance.

Experts say when dump sites are exposed, residents stand the risk of contracting various diseases through chemical exposure.

Undoubtedly, indiscriminate disposal of wastes affects the landscape of the city because if wastes are not properly managed, it could pose a serious health hazard that could lead to the spread of infectious diseases.

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A visit by THE WHISTLER correspondent to some part of the FCT, showed that many areas within Abuja have faulty waste disposal system, a development that has led to dumping of refuse at strategic spots.

The areas where these dumpsites are more noticeable are, Akintola Williams way just before Garki market, Jabi, Utako, Dutse, Usman Dam Junction, Mabushi.

There is also a poorly managed refuse dumpsite at second avenue along NEPA road, and 3rd avenue just opposite BEW photo studio among others.

Some of the residents whose houses are located around these refuse sites expressed disappointment at the way they are being managed.

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A resident who gave his name as Wilson Nnaji, said that the inability of waste collectors to clear the waste on time pose serious health hazards to the community.

Nnaji said, “Refuse are dumped here and waste collectors don’t visit here to pack those refuse.

“Sometimes, it takes weeks for the waste to be cleared and during this period, we find it difficult to breathe properly.

“The situation is even worse during this period of rain because once it rains, the whole area becomes messed up as the flood will wash some of the dirt to the roads.”

Another resident who gave his name as Friday Olowe told this website that the health implication of leaving the refuse for days without clearing them is enormous.

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Olowe who is a health practitioner said with the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country, it has become imperative to have a healthy environment.

He said, “The impact on human health from degradation of the environment affect society not only in terms of loss of quality of life, but also in terms of expenditure on health care, loss of productivity and loss of income

“A healthy environment underpins a healthy population, if government does not take actions to make environments where people live and work healthy, millions will continue to become ill and die too young.

“Allowing wastes stay for long before there are moved pose threat to residents with different health hazard.”

When contacted by THE WHISTLER on measures being put in place to ensure a cleaner environment, none of the officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board was willing to speak on the matter.

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