THE Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) said it is planning to reduce waste by 30 per cent in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a means of tackling pollution and protecting the environment.
Director of the Board Osilama Braimah disclosed this in a statement released to commemorate the World Environment Day.
He noted that the theme of this year’s event, ‘Only One Earth’, is a wake up call to work towards a healthy planet.
“Regarding waste management in the FCT, our focus had always been waste reduction, and to that end, we are putting in place, waste transfer stations in Apo-Gudu, Mpape, and Kubwa in the FCT.
“These transfer stations will help reduce the amount of waste materials going to our land fill site. We hope to achieve 30 per cent waste reduction so as to greatly increase the lifespan of our dumpsites in Goza. We are very optimistic about delivering one of the dumpsites before the end of this administration,” he said.
Braimah added that measures were being taken to address the challenges of waste management in the FCT, including sewage treatment, adding that global well-being is being threatened by environmental pollution.
“We must place true value on the environment and go beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a measure of human progress and well-being. This is the time to shift to a circular and regenerative economy,” he said.
The AEPB boss also noted that the clean up of the Jabi Lake and some Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps, and debates for children in schools, were being organised to commemorate the 2022 World Environment Day and sensitise people in the FCT on environmental management.
Environmental management and sustainability is a challenge faced by many countries across the globe including Nigeria.
In the FCT, indiscriminate waste disposal by residents and cart pushers known as ‘baban bola’ is also a contributory factor to environmental issues.
Last week, the AEPB announced the establishment of more mobile courts to hasten trial of environmental violators within the city.
The ICIR also reported that an absence of garbage bins along major roads in the territory is resulting in more refuse heaps across the city.
However, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Board, Janet Peni said the government is planning to provide more garbage bins along the roads.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.