Delta State government has vowed to apprehend anyone flouting government orders to eradicate the menace of scavengers at households and dump sites across the state.
This was made known by the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani, at a one-day workshop held in Asaba, Delta State.
The workshop, themed “Zero Waste,” was organized by the Ministry of Environment in partnership with Green Knowledge Foundation (GKF).
He said, “We have at various times and forums highlighted the health risks faced by scavengers. We have also explained and listed the infectious diseases they could contact and transfer to their family members; this is a development that could lead to outbreaks of diseases.”
Jamani, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary (PS), Dr. Minnie Oseji, revealed that Solid Chemicals Ltd and Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance received 407.646 metric tonnes of recycled items in 2022, and in 2023, Solid Chemicals Ltd alone received 2,905.761 metric tonnes.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the continued presence of scavengers at dump sites, stressing that ministry officials have been visiting all dump sites to look out for and apprehend any scavenger who flouts government directives.
On his part, the Executive Director of Green Knowledge Foundation (GKF), Weyinmi Okotie, highlighted challenges in waste management and explained waste-to-climate change mitigation strategies.
According to him, the Zero-Waste Concept is focused on waste prevention, which encourages redesigning resource life cycles so that all products are repurposed and/or reused.
He said that waste could be turned into energy through biogas, a renewable source of energy, insisting that the device could reduce undue reliance on wood and charcoal, thereby helping to prevent deforestation and combat air pollution. He also listed pollution, wildlife harm, management costs, and loss of economic opportunities as part of the waste management challenges in Nigeria.
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