It’s been 14 months since the flag off of state monthly sanitation by His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello on May 25, 2016 and free waste evacuation by KGSSWMB has been majorly consistent, ineffective and government bore the cost of waste collection. Knowing this is neither sustainable nor proven the most effective option in waste management, the MENR advocated, sensitize, created awareness on waste producers obligations, provisions of the law and the government of GYB went ahead to ensure access to sanitary dustbins at subsidized rate since February 2017 and enforcement was delayed to allow ample time for compliance- 6 months.
In addition, stakeholder partnership and support, community ownership, residents buy-in etc was advocated- thankfully there were positive encouragement by the Nigerian Army, Police, NSCDC and other law enforcement Agencies, volunteer residents, a section of community groups- Zariagi, Adankolo, Otokiti/ Barracks etc
Observations on how did the residents respond?
- They refused to comply with the provisions of the law for sanitation and waste management.
- They create illegal dumps, litter indiscriminately,
- They refuse to provide their houses with recommended dustbins and dispose waste in water channels, public areas etc
- in addition they commence attack and blackmail on government PPP efforts under different guises.
To assess the behavior of Lokoja waste producers MENR conducted a ‘mid-year test’ of responsiveness by stopping waste collection from indiscriminate dumps on road median by SWMB and also stopped July 2017 state monthly sanitation without prior notice and the result is not surprising: dirt filled Everywhere in the public places in just only 3 days.
Lessons learnt and sustainable next steps.
This scorecard of Lokoja residents of July 28-31st 2017 should provoke us all to take a different approach to how we manage the environment and encourage each other to comply with the provisions of the law on household and business premises.
- Providing sanitary dustbins is a necessary condition and no excuse not to do so is justifiable- let the truth be told;
- The provisions of environmental laws ensure the protection of the people’s health and well-being and should be adhered to, enforced without fear or favor;
- Sanitation and waste management is an essential service and both the resident’s waste producers and government have distinct roles to play- those should be understood and not shrouded in political blackmail as some tend to do. For avoidance of doubt, the law places the responsibility to provide sanitary dustbins and pay waste tariff – as advised by the KGSSWMB on the individual waste producer- both household and business premises (KGSSWMB Law 2013)
- Kogi State waste tariff is now in force and will be enforced from August 2017 for the specified first phase category of waste producers: planned estates- GRA, Anebo Quarters, all houses along major roads, Phase 1, phase 2 housing Estates and environs, Otokiti etc.
- In view of 4 above, waste utility vehicles will commence scheduled evacuation on days/ dates to be announced shortly. All residents are advised to bring out their sanitary dustbins on such dates and plan to pay the recommended waste tariff for their locations as advised.
- The mid-year test has further demonstrated the importance of resident paradigm ship in behavior as well as the necessity for Private partnership/ investment in sanitation and waste management, the process of which has already commenced. BP3 is therefore encouraged to support the process and expedite action. This again is a proactive step by GYB in the right direction.
- MENR further solicite the support of peer MDAs and all categories of stakeholders in ensuring effective protection of the environment- our general health and wellbeing depend on the success of this.
