Improper Waste Disposal: Group Warns of Potential Disease Outbreak in Kogi

The Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF) has raised serious concerns about the worsening cleanliness and waste management situation in Kogi State, particularly in the capital, Lokoja.

In a statement to NIGERIA NEWS 247 on Friday, RECEF’s Executive Director, Idris Ozovehe Muraina, highlighted that despite initiatives like the “Operation Clean the City” launched earlier this year by the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, conditions have deteriorated, endangering residents’ health and well-being.

Muraina stated, “The streets from Lokongoma to the New Market/NATACO axis are now littered with unremoved waste, turning our once vibrant city into a breeding ground for diseases and environmental hazards.

“The dumpsite near the Felele area of Lokoja, close to the Federal University permanent site, now presents a new, dangerous look. What was supposed to be ‘Operation Clean the City’ has become ‘Operation Prepare for Cholera’ as filth continues to accumulate unchecked.

“We urge the Honourable Commissioner of Environment and Ecological Management and the management of the Kogi State Waste Management Board to urgently fulfill their responsibilities and take decisive action to address this critical issue.

“The current state is unacceptable, posing a significant threat to public health and the environment. Immediate steps must be taken to clean our streets, manage waste properly, and restore our city’s cleanliness and beauty.”

Muraina called on the state’s waste management authorities to intensify their efforts, implement effective strategies, and engage with relevant stakeholders to tackle this challenge directly.

He further explained that RECEF Nigeria is prepared to support and collaborate with the government and relevant agencies to ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for all residents of Kogi State.