Some residents of Mararaba and its environs on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 commended the Nasarawa State Government for its prompt response to their calls for intervention in tackling the environmental challenges facing the area.
The residents, who spoke in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), expressed happiness over what they described as “the new look of Mararaba’’.
Mrs Alice Utan, a petty trader, said that the environment of the area had become an eyesore to many residents and visitors, as heaps of refuse dotted the entire surroundings.
“All of a sudden, the area is now beginning to have a cleaner look because of the new approach adopted by Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura’s administration.
“Few months ago, we started observing street cleaners sweeping the road early in the morning before the commencement of our businesses; this is very commendable.
“You will agree with me that living in a clean environment is important to our physical health as well as our overall well-being.
“This is what the government is trying to do for us, we must commend it,’’ she added.
Also speaking, Mr Francis Attah, a teacher, said that the rate of environmental degradation in the country was alarming; adding that one of the contributory factors was the failure of many people to exhibit good sanitation habits.
He cited a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report that claimed some diseases were caused by environmental factors such as filthy surroundings, among others.
He particularly condemned some residents’ habit of dumping garbage on the streets and urged them to always keep the environment clean to stay healthy.
Besides, Attah called on the government to provide more refuse receptacles for the residents of Mararaba, saying that this would encourage the people to properly discard their refuse without spreading it by the roadside.
“I have noticed that the population of Mararaba has strikingly overwhelmed the available facilities in the community.
“Besides employing street sweepers to keep the roads clean, government should station more refuse bins by the roadside, as this would encourage the residents to dump their rubbish in the bins.
“However, this shouldn’t be an excuse for the reckless habit of those who dump refuse indiscriminately and thereby, endanger human health,’’ he said.
Miss Ekamma Ita, a student, also commended the state government for taking steps to address the environmental challenges facing the residents of Mararaba.
According to her, people can now breathe easily in their newly sanitised neighbourhood when they wait to board vehicles at various bus stops along the road.
“I really appreciate the state government for its approach to solve the serious environmental challenges we have encountered on this road in recent times.
“I, therefore, give kudos to Gov. Al-Makura,’’ she said.
By Okon Okon