Former Permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment and Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Peers International, DPI, Dr. Mrs Ibukun Odusote, has called for collective efforts towards promoting environmental sustainability, responsible plastic use, cleaner communities, and youth-driven solutions to plastic pollution within the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
Odusote called for the promotion of behavioral change, encouraging innovation in plastic waste management, supporting enterprises, and creating sustainable opportunities for young people within the plastic value chain.
She also pinpointed the importance of the activities of informal waste pickers and recyclers, popularly known called Baban bola also or babanbolas in Abuja and other northern states.
While many Nigerians have called for the removal of these individuals from the city centres over some criminal activities they allegedly involve themselves in, Dr Odusote pointed to how they help to remove and recycle plastic wastes from the streets.
DAILY POST reports that while many of these individuals are honest laborers driven by poverty, the group is highly controversial with authorities and residents frequently linking them to organized crime, vandalism of critical public assets, and burglary in residential estates.
Due to public outcry and security threats, both the FCT Administration and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have enforced bans on scavenging within the city center, restricting them to designated dump sites.
Speaking at the FCT clean-up exercise under the DPI-SG project titled, “Deploying the Power of IT-Engaged Youths in Effective Plastic Use and Plastic Waste Management 2.0,” supported by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, the Global Environment Facility, GEF, and the Small Gra Programme, SGP, the environmental chief noted that environmental responsibility is a collective duty.
She said, “Cleaner communities require collective action, commitment, and consistency from all stakeholders.
“Baban bola, you don’t know the work you’re doing to keep the environment safe. We appreciate the good you’re doing in recycling plastic wastes…”
Also speaking during the cleaning exercise, Engr Sherifat Lawal, the Divisional Head (Waste Disposal Facility & Resource Recovery), represented by Eyo Maureen from the AEPB office, harped on the concerns for the health of the environment and communities.
She said, “The environment is our shared home. The way we treat it today will determine the kind of future we leave for coming generations. Unfortunately, indiscriminate dumping of waste, poor sanitation practices, and environmental pollution continue to threaten public health, contribute to flooding, and damage our ecosystem.
“Cleanliness is not only the responsibility of government agencies alone; it is a collective responsibility. Every individual, household, market, school, and organization has a role to play in keeping our surroundings clean and safe.
“When we dispose off waste properly, recycle reusable materials, and maintain clean surroundings, we help to prevent diseases, protect our drainage systems, and improve the beauty of our communities.”
