Refuse takes over kogi state capital

Residents in Lokoja have  expressed concern over the massive heaps of refuse currently littering the highways and streets of Lokoja, the state capital.

They disclosed this in separate interviews with News Junkie  in Lokoja.

The refuse heaps continued to litter the streets of the capital in the past few weeks in which the filthy situation of the state had become a cause for concern due to the danger it posed to human health and the environment.

Residents , urged the management of Kogi State Sanitation and Waste Management Board  to ensure immediate and regular evacuation of refuse across the state.

They  have been left to lament the non- evacuation of refuse, and use of crude means of setting fire on them, thereby letting out excessive smoke, which is hazardous to citizen’s health.

The smoke that keeps bellowing over the entire capital city has become a source of health hazard for the residents. Yet, there is no respite for residents, as government officials look the other way.

The eyesore, which is growing daily at strategic locations meant for refuse collection by the Sanitation Agency, has been taken to a ridiculous level, whereby every available space on streets and road divides are used as dumpsites.

There is  appalling heaps of filth at Ibrahim Taiwo Road, 200 Housing Unit Junction on Ganaja Road, Federal University Junction, and many other points in the city.

Others are at Catholic Cathedral and Bishop Dellise School, the zenith Bank junction, Aniebo Quarters gate ,Adankolo, Obasanjo Square, close to the old market, Phase I Market and Federal University Lokoja Junction AND LOTS MORE

While some residents have resolved to burning the refuse on the streets of Lokoja, experts on environment  say burning of household solid wastes would contaminate the atmosphere, thereby polluting the air that we breathe.

An expert who spoke on the condition of anonymity said "Burning of solid wastes produces thick smoke of Sulphur (iv) oxide, Carbon (ii) oxide and other dangerous gases that could damage the ozone layer.

"The smoke also creates unpleasant odour that increases general background level of air pollution.

"Refuse burning not only poses health hazard to man alone but also affects the environment in general via the emission of various pollutants," the expert said.

"Besides, heaping and burning of refuse in the environment could lead to the outbreak of various communicable diseases.

"People, especially children, could be exposed to deadly diseases like cholera, dysentery and malaria fever," he said.

Mrs Florence Joseph, the General Manager of Kogi Sanitation and Waste Management Board (KSWMB), said that the refuse littering the major streets of Lokoja was as a result of workers’ strike.

The organised Labour in the state had directed its members to embark on indefinite strike from midnight of December 23, 2015 as protest against the non- compliance with their demands in their earlier bulletin.