Opinions

Ibadan, city clean initiative and Environment Day 2023

Published by

2 years ago

IBADAN, the capital of Nigeria’s Oyo State, is one of many major locations throughout the world where solid waste management is a significant issue for the environment and public health. The city, which has a population of over 3 million, generates an abundance of waste every day, and the lack of a solid waste management system has led to the growth of illegal dumps, the contamination of waterways, and the spread of diseases. Ibadan’s solid waste disposal is now in disarray, and it is in response to this that this article proffers a solution-driven approach to the perennial problem. The environment and general population are seriously endangered by the unsustainable status of Ibadan’s solid waste disposal. Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYOWMA), the agency in charge of handling solid waste in the city, collects only around 40 percent of the more than 3,000 tons of waste that are produced daily in the city. The remainder is burned in public areas or deposited in unlawful landfills, contributing to air pollution and the release of dangerous greenhouse gases that accelerate climate change.

Moreover, Ibadan’s poor solid waste management has contributed to disease outbreaks and river pollution. One such example is the Ogunpa River, which flows through the center of the city and is seriously contaminated by solid waste, including plastics, bottles, and other non-biodegradable materials. As a result, the river, a significant supply of water for the people who live nearby, has been contaminated. And numerous individuals have come into contact with water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery. Sustainable solid waste management techniques must be implemented in Ibadan to solve this problem. The adoption of the waste hierarchy, which places a higher priority on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling than disposal, is one of the most efficient ways to do this. In Nigeria, plastic waste is a major environmental problem that has a number of detrimental effects on the nation’s ecosystems, people’s health, and economy. Almost 2.5 million metric tons of plastic garbage are produced annually in Nigeria, according to estimates. Population expansion, urbanization, and rising plastic product usage are all contributing factors to the high rate of plastic generation. They have a wide range of effects, including damage to the marine ecosystem, clogged drainage systems, countless health hazards, and economic losses. Multifaceted remedies must consequently be proposed to stem this debilitating tide. In keeping with the theme of this year’s World Environment Day Commemoration, “Beat the Plastic.”, there are numerous strategies that might be put into practice to deal with the plastic waste problem in Nigeria.

Firstly, it is essential to improve waste management infrastructure and procedures. This entails expanding the quantity of waste collecting locations, setting up recycling facilities, and putting in place effective waste disposal systems. Plastic waste will be kept out of the environment with the use of effective waste management. Moreover, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations can be successfully implemented and enforced to reduce plastic waste. The whole life cycle of a product, including the collection and ethical disposal of packaging waste, should be the manufacturer’s responsibility. Producers are encouraged by EPR programs to use eco-friendly packaging and support recycling systems. It is also crucial to increase the accessibility and capacity of recycling facilities. More recycling facilities should be built across the nation with investments from both public and private institutions. This will promote the recycling of plastic trash and contribute to the development of a circular economy where plastics are reused as opposed to being thrown away.

Recycling begins at home. However, not only does recycling and in fact all other forms of sustainable solid waste management begin at home, educational institutions have proven to be veritable platforms for inculcating sustainable waste management practices. Through training and hackathon projects, environmentally-themed organizations across the world have successfully trained youngsters in sustainable waste management practices who have gone on to be professionals and advocates within the environmental sector. The City-clean Initiative (CCI Project) is one such effort to impact secondary school students with the knowledge and skill sets required to champion environmental causes within the city. Spearheaded by the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI) under the auspices of the United States Consulate General, Lagos in partnership with the Oyo State Government and Access Bank, the CCI-Project is designed by a team of five individuals namely, Tunmise Adesina, Grace Iquot, Abdulazeez Salaudeen, Grace Ayanwole and Toyeeb Sanusi, who are passionate about a clean and healthy environment in Nigeria.The project which was officially launched on the 24th of May,2023, features initiatives such as Environmental Clubs and Training programs, Hackathon Projects, and System-thinking Challenge.

Five private secondary schools within Akinyele local government are participants in the program and selected students are currently undergoing an intensive one-month certified training in solid waste management in secondary schools, climate advocacy, and innovative management. The students will go on to design projects and funding will be raised for outstanding projects. As we commemorate World Environment Day, governments at all levels must adopt people-centered solutions empowering young people to take responsibility for their environment in terms of developing creative and sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. Government must also encourage public and private sector partnerships to form the much-needed collaboration. The government with its resources can provide funding for private sectors which often guarantees success and efficient supervision. Individuals as parts of the structure of society also have roles to play in guaranteeing a solid waste-free environment.

In conclusion, the strive for a cleaner Ibadan requires the concerted efforts of all residents of the brown-roof city. The CCI-Project models this action and it is hoped that the coming years will justify the effort.