In this article, Etta Michael Bisong, who participated in a community sensitisation campaign in Galadimawa, a suburb in Abuja, explores the significance of environmental cleanup and its benefits for sustainable development
Around the world, there is a growing demand for a cleaner and healthier environment, particularly in light of climate change and how it affects human health and general livelihoods.
One of the greatest issues harming the environment globally is waste. In developing nations, particularly in Africa, where basic trash infrastructures like collection and evacuation centres are infrequently available, the devastation caused by this threat is significantly worse.
In Nigeria, the issue of citizen mobilisation and education on the economic worth of waste, particularly plastics, continues to raise concerns about how best to solve this issue in the country.
World Cleanup Day 2023
In order to raise awareness about the value of environmental cleanliness and the economic benefits of waste, the Young Advocates for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future (YASIF) organised a cleanup exercise in Galadimawa as part of activities to mark this year’s World Cleanup Day (WCD).
The event, which was carried out as part of “Project Waste Free Communities,” a campaign that YASIF conceptualised to educate and empower women about waste management, saw a community-wide clean-up and the education of more than 50 women on sustainable plastic waste management.
Blessing Ewa, the founder of YASIF, noted that the event was organised to help members of the community understand the importance of cleanup and why they should become involved.
Ewa claimed that she saw problems with waste pickers, a lack of collecting points, and problems with waste disposal among the community members when she was working on the cleanup.
She went on to suggest that they form a task group to give them the freedom to make their own decisions and that they contact the necessary government organisations in charge of collecting and evacuating waste to establish relationships.
But before they can do so, she says, they must first understand their relationship with the environment and why it must be kept clean.
Another thing people should be aware of, according to Ewa, is that there are livelihood opportunities associated with garbage, and it is critical to assist communities in understanding their role in managing it.
“One thing I believe we can do going forward is collaborate with relevant government agencies because their participation in this activity is critical,” the YASIF boss said. “It is best for communities to work together to understand that they play an active role in waste collection and management.”
Prof. Aliyu Jauro, director general of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), described the event as a great success and recommended that it continue beyond the WCD.
The DG, who was represented by Rita Nnaji, the agency’s chief environmental health officer, stated that it is part of his organisation’s responsibility to conduct awareness programmes to sensitise people in communities, particularly on its policy that deals with sanitation and waste control.
He acknowledged that his organisation had partnered with YASIF and her associates in order to promote a waste-free society and a cleaner, healthier environment.
“I consider today’s event to be a success,” Prof. Jauro remarked.
Therefore, he suggested that the Galadimawa residents be integrated into the initiative so that they could track and keep an eye on its actions inside their neighbourhood.
Government and NGO partnership
Aliyu Sadiq, co-founder of the Ecocykle Development Foundation (EDF), one of the collaborating bodies, stressed the necessity of the government and non-state actors working together to address the difficulties that plague appropriate waste management across the country.
He believes the event was successful because a group of ecologically minded advocates banded together to push it.
“This type of collaboration is very important,” he continued, “because you need expertise from as many organisations as possible, especially if you want to record a greater impact.”
As a result, the environmental rights advocate encouraged other stakeholders whose mandates lie within the environmental space to embrace the spirit of collaboration because it helps in the delivery of better results.
“We didn’t do it alone; we reached out to other partners who joined us here today, and as a result of the collaboration, we’re making a bigger impact,” Aliyu revealed.
Sustainability and waste management solutions
One of the success stories of the campaign from the villages visited, according to Pius Oko, executive secretary of Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), another implementing partner in the consortium, is that some of the women trained are now earning money from selling plastic debris.
In light of this, he stated, “It is something we really look forward to because it helps keep plastic out of communities, especially when they understand the value of it.”
He hinted that his company has plans to engage more localities that are unable to make informed decisions about waste management.
“We are still working with communities because the project intends to empower women to engage in some type of upcycling so they can earn more money.
Oko disclosed that the project is not only focused on helping people keep their environment clean but also on providing sustainable opportunities that can help them generate income even while they do so.
Assurance from the Galadimawa district head
Alhaji Musa Barde, the district head of Galadimawa, expressed delight with the exercise’s results and that it had taken place in his community.
Many organisations have visited the community to conduct awareness efforts, but this, he believes, is the most significant.
The community leader gave the organisers his word that he would continue to support the project and make sure that his constituents helped to see that it was carried out successfully.
He promised to form an environmental cleanup task force committee to ensure that those who clean up their surroundings benefit.
Alhaji Barde elaborated, saying that the community is growing more mindful of environmental cleanliness, particularly as it relates to climate change.
“We cannot do it in a day,” he said, “but what we have learned here today is an eye-opener for all of us in ensuring the success of this programme.”
