Some residents of Igabi and Kaduna North Local Government Areas have decried the existence of multiple dump sites within their communities.
The residents stated this while speaking to journalists who were on an assessment tour of refuse dump sites with support from an NGO, ‘Bridge that Gap Initiative in Kaduna.’
Speaking in separate interviews, some of the residents said the poor state of the refuse dump sites had exposed the community to a myriad of health and environmental hazards.
A resident of the community, who craved anonymity, described the dump sites as ‘nightmarish and horrorific.’
She alleged that the smoke from the burning refuse was the cause of respiratory illnesses, especially asthma.
She lamented that whenever they take action towards stopping people from dumping refuse on the site, they sometimes threaten their lives.
“Sometime ago, a young man brought out a knife and threatened to stab me because I stopped him from dumping refuse on the site because the site does not belong to my father.“
Another resident, Mustapha Almustapha decried that the refuse dump has become a breeding ground for rodents, snakes and other dangerous animals that have invaded homes in the community.
Almustapha noted that the situation could lead to outbreak of diseases in the area, as all the pleas with relevant authorities to ensure its evacuation fell on deaf ears.
He urged government to take immediate action to address the environmental hazard.
Similarly, Usaini Ahmad, a trader in the community, appealed to government to provide alternative dumping sites and improve waste management in the community.
He said the community has suffered for too long due to the neglect of the refuse dump sites, seeking its prompt evacuation to prevent further environmental degradation and health hazards.
“The situation in Tudun Ilu community highlights the need for effective waste management and environmental protection in urban areas,“ he said.
Head of Tudun Ilu community, Bala Ilu, said the refuse dump site is a disturbing environmental problem, hence urgent attention is needed to avoid the recurring environmental hazards.
Ilu added that some weeks ago, some blocks of classrooms were burnt down by fire that was linked to the burning of refuse close to the school.
He added that Kaduna Central market, which has some of its parts like the 69 drugs market and businesses along the railway track, also contributed heavily to the problem.
He said the community had hired workers who would stop people from dumping refuse in the site.
The village head urged the media to amplify the environmental challenge for government to take decisive action to salvage the situation.
Earlier, the Team Lead and Executive Director of the NGO, Gloria Bulus, said the visit to the dump sites was to look at the issues affecting the area and how to address them.
Bulus expressed optimism that the visit would help the NGO make good suggestions on the required interventions to government and the communities.
“We have interacted with some members of the communities and they told us their gory experiences, especially as regards their health.
“We are all aware of the harmful impact of burning refuse in terms of contributing to the green house gas emissions which impacts climate change.
“This is happening right in the community and it is very sad. Reflecting on it makes me feel what can be done immediately on the spot for them,”she added.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the tour was in partnership with the media and supported by ‘Bridge That Gap’ Initiative and a Network of Civil Society Organisations. NAN
