From JOHN FWAH, Kaduna
A traditional ruler and environmental experts have urged the Kaduna State Government to evaluate waste at one of the state’s oldest dump sites and consider converting the location into temporary shops or other useful community facilities to generate revenue and reduce environmental pollution.
The appeal followed a field visit to the Tudun-Ilu dump site by the Head of Communication and Strategies at African Climate Reporters and lecturer at the African Institute of Waste Management and Environmental Studies, Comrade Ibrahima Yakubu, and a team of environmental scientists.
The Tudun-Ilu dump site, located near the Kaduna State Fire Brigade office in Tudun Wada, is believed to be one of the oldest refuse disposal sites in the state.
The visitors said the site poses environmental and public health risks to nearby residents, particularly women and children.
Yakubu said the government should properly assess the site, evacuate the accumulated waste and replace the dump with temporary shops or other facilities that would benefit the community.
He said such measures would protect residents from dangerous smoke and toxic fumes generated by the burning and decomposition of waste.
Residents lament health risks
The dump site is located within a densely populated area with thousands of residents living nearby.
Residents of Tudun-Ilu have repeatedly called on the authorities to relocate or properly manage the site, citing persistent smoke and unpleasant conditions affecting their daily lives.
Yakubu also urged residents to stop setting the dump site on fire and called for stronger public awareness campaigns on the dangers of open waste burning.
Speaking during the visit, the community leader of Unguwan Tudun-Ilu, Mallam Husaini Yakubu, appealed to the authorities to end the continued dumping of refuse at the site.
He said residents had endured years of smoke pollution and respiratory-related health challenges caused by the dump.
According to him, the site has increasingly become a disposal point for animal waste and refuse from Kaduna Central Market, resulting in smoke that affects the surrounding community from morning until evening.
Call for government action
The community leader urged the government to replace the dump site with temporary shops or other useful facilities to address the environmental challenges associated with the location.
He also appealed to humanitarian organisations, civil society groups and health experts to collaborate with the government and community leaders in finding a lasting solution to waste management in the area.
He further called for stronger cooperation among environmental experts, journalists, community leaders, civil society organisations and government agencies to make waste management a priority across Kaduna metropolis.
The experts urged the authorities to evacuate the dump site, stop open waste burning, provide suitable alternative disposal facilities and strengthen waste collection, recycling and public awareness programmes.
They said the measures would help reduce air pollution, improve residents’ living conditions and protect public health in Tudun-Ilu and surrounding communities.
The community leader commended the visiting experts and appealed to the authorities to take urgent action to end pollution and disease risks associated with the dump site.