Influx of IDPs compounds waste management challenges in Gombe —Commissioner

Gombe State Commissioner of Environment and Forest Resources, Mrs Sa’adatu Sa’ad, has said that influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) had compounded waste management challenges in the state.

The commissioner stated this when members of the Imperative Initiative for Motivation of Global Care (IIMGC) a Non-Governmental Organisation, paid her a courtesy visit.

“One among the numerous environmental challenges we are facing is waste management in the state. This was because of the influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) which led to increase in population.

“Waste evacuation trucks and other facilities have been overstretched; we need more waste disposal containers as well as VIPs latrine,” she said.

She also said erosion in the state was a major threat to lives and property.

“Although the state government has done a lot in controlling erosion, the problem is increasing.

“The government has spent about N3 billion in 11 different locations in the state capital ravaged by erosion, but we still have deep gullies everywhere in the state,” she said.

In her remarks, President of IIMGC, Mrs Silvia Clinton, said she came to Gombe with her team to conduct a baseline survey in all the 11 local government areas of the state.

She said the exercise was with a view to identifying the needs of people at the grassroots and act promptly.

She said her organisation gives attention to marginalised communities, especially with regards to environmental, health and agriculture issues.