Lagos (Lagos State) – An environmentalist, Mr Odumeru Musiliudeen, on Friday advised Nigerians to refrain from indiscriminate waste disposal to avert diseases associated with environmental pollution.
Musiliudeen, former National Vice-Chairman, Environment Division, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), gave the advice during interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He called for recycling of most of the materials and waste disposed along water ways that blocked canals and cause floods and environmental hazards.
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He urged the public to cultivate the culture of proper waste management which he said could be achieved through recycling, composting, landfills or burning of the waste materials.
According to him, the waste management methods are economical, easy to manage, saying that waste recycling was an efficient source of revenue and a way to make the society green.
He urged individuals and households to evolve easy techniques of waste management.
Musiliudeen suggested that some waste materials that could not be recycled and constitute hazards to the environment could be banned.
“Ghana is planning to stop the usage and manufacturing of nylons, due to the fact that they constitute environmental defects in that country.
“Such decision can be taken in Nigeria because nylons constitute about 70 per cent of residues that block the water canals, thereby causing flood,” he said.
Musiliudeen, however, urged government to formulate policy that could encourage recycling of all kinds of waste materials, to check the causative factors of flooding in the country.
“People will generate income if they can start sorting and recycling their waste, especially the pet bottles, papers, cans, among others, as they are resources merchants buy everywhere”, he said.
He applauded the Lagos state government for ensuring proper disposal of wastes and enjoined residents to play their part by managing waste appropriately.
“Other states can emulate the Lagos government’s efforts at enforcing environmental laws through Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency.” (NAN)