Refuse dump takes over Minna, other towns in Niger

From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

Refuse dump takes over Minna, other Towns in Niger State, no thanks to the inability of the state government to pay contractors handling the collection of wastes.

Sequel to the development, indiscriminate dumping of wastes has been a major challenge in Minna, the state capital and other major towns.

Interestingly, the state government environmental agency and its officials have failed to clear those refuse dumps hence the roadsides, streets and markets in major towns across Niger state have been turned into refuse dump sites.

Niger state Environmental Protection Agency (NSEPA), which is allegedly starved of Funds and trucks leading to increase refuse dumps however stays for days without being collected leading to more wastes dump in different areas apart from the designated places.

Some residents of the town expressed concern over the current situation, saying that the indiscriminate dumping of waste especially during the raining season can result into water pollution, drainage blocking, flooding, land and environmental pollution as well as infrastructural degradation.

Reacting in an interview monitored by our reporter, the General Manager of the Niger state Environmental Protection Agency, Habib Abdulkadir said that the government is being challenged by lack of funding.

He lamented that the residence has refused to pay for waste collection and there is no finance by the government to continue funding waste management in the state.

NSEPA officer in charge of waste management, Mohammed Isa Kutigi said that the agency has not been able to pay the contractors for over three months which led to the withdrawal of their services.