An eyesore refuse heap situated along Chapel Junction, University Road, Tanke, Ilorin, posing significant health hazards to more than 5,000 pedestrians and 1,000 motorists who ply the road daily, neglected by the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA) despite numerous calls to address the issue has finally received attention.
A non-governmental organization, Blue-lily Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative has taken up action to clear what is becoming a breeding ground for pests and diseases. The accumulated waste emits a foul stench, causing discomfort to everyone in the vicinity and increasing the risk of respiratory problems and infections for the residents; a situation that poses a potential public health crisis.
Speaking to Royal FM, co-founder of Blue Lily Initiative, Tobechukwu Prosper Diolu, revealed the idea behind the initiative and the waste cleanup
He said, “We understand that as we hold the government responsible, we also need to take action. The key word is taking action. So when our volunteers told us about this place, we decided to take initiative and take action. In doing that we don’t work alone, we do what we call stakeholders analysis. What are the factors responsible? Who are the stakeholders involved?”
“So we began to talk to them, gathered the stakeholders and collaborated with them to do our findings and then we proceeded to do the community engagement,” he concluded
Bolaji Maruf Bisoye, CEO of a cleaning service in the state capital, Ilorin was on the scene helping out and also spoke to Royal FM, adding that “It is a student’s area, it’s close to the University There is also a school at the backyard here and a lot of the environment itself is not lively for people going around living with waste, sleeping and eating”
Speaking anonymously, a resident revealed that the community had persistently contacted KWEPA for months, urging them to take action. However, the agency seemed to have overlooked the issue, leaving the residents to bear the brunt of the health hazards imposed by the refuse heap.
The refuse heap neglect presents several health hazards, including potential disease outbreaks, air pollution from decaying waste, and contamination of nearby water sources which can lead to an increase in respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal infections, and skin conditions among the population.
While the Blue-lily Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative has stepped up to address the refuse heap, it is essential for the residents to be mindful of their waste disposal habits. Irresponsible dumping by the masses contributes to the worsening of such environmental issues. Proper waste disposal not only ensures a cleaner and healthier community but also reduces the burden on local authorities tasked with waste management.
A volunteer with the Initiative, Razak Aishat Adebisi advised residents not to add more waste to the site after the cleanup
“They should stop doing that because of course it’s going to affect them, not even not even the people that are cleaning. This actually is going to affect them. They should look for a better way to dump their refuse. It’s actually an eyesore”
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to the government and relevant authorities. Promptly addressing this issue and taking preventive measures will ensure that other refuse heaps are not left to fester by the roadside across the state capital, Ilorin.
Several other locations in Ilorin, including Oke Odo, Sanrab, Post Office, Harmony Estate, and Sobi Barracks, also suffer from refuse heaps dumped by the roadside, demanding urgent attention from the authorities.
The Kwara State government must take a more proactive approach to waste disposal and management. Implementing efficient waste collection systems, raising awareness about responsible waste disposal, and imposing penalties for illegal dumping are essential steps to maintain a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents.
It is time for the government to take concrete action and safeguard the health and well-being of its people by ensuring cleaner and safer communities for all and Kwarans hope that this will be the first of many steps towards a greener and more sustainable future for Kwara State.
Join our twitter community :
