Ibadan,the second most populous city in Africa behind Cairo is a home to a population of about 3,000,000 people. Standing at Bere Mapo area, one cannot but notice a canopy of brown roofs which is a feature of its undulating terrain.
However, one of the environmental concerns in the city is the solid waste management. Indiscrimnate dumping of refuse on the roads and the inefficient collection system. Sometimes one wonders if the people manufacture solid wastes overnight.
During the Ladoja/Akala Administration efforts were made at cleaning up the city. Small trucks were used and private enterprises were engaged. Infact the administration of Akala purchased new special waste collector trucks painted white.
When the administration of Ajimobi came onboard, they embarked on a comprehensive city clean up and reorganization but lacked the political will to see it through.
Meanwhile unwittingly, a culture developed during the past administration where people use road median as dumpsite for solid waste. This has now become so pervasive to the extent that you will hardly see a median without waste. The city roads are decorated with solid waste.
There are no dustbins or dumpsters on the road for public use. Waste collectors have been working tirelessly to collect these wastes but usually leave debris behind in the process.
The new administration of Gov Seyi Makinde needs to prioritise the city clean up. These are low hanging fruits. Although government is reviewing all existing contracts to improving waste management but immediate clean up is urgently required.
For the government effort to have significant impact, the administration should reevaluate the waste stream with a view to changing the culture.
The following should be considered:
1. Provisioning of dumpster: The government should make it a policy that every bus stop, market place and specified kilometers should have public refuse containers. Smart and effective dumpster can be designed and carefully installed round the city
2. The dumpster and garbage containers should be constructed by local welders/manufacturers in line with the approved design that fits waste collection truck. This will further stimulate the state’s economy and save government’s fund.
3. Government should get better and more efficient waste collection truck that can easily lift dumpster constructed by approved local welders/manufacturers. The process of picking and dumping should be automated by the collection truck.
4. Private Waste Management Enterprises should be engaged in managing domestic wastes and refuse collection. All report reviews and contracts issues should be expedited.
5. Government needs to embark on public education and awareness. Local governments, landlord associations, NURTW, market leaders, religious bodies, schools and organizations should be engaged. Everyone has a duty of care to ensuring proper waste stream management that does not constitute public health concerns.
6. Government should establish Operation Kick Against Indiscipline Enforcement Agency. They are to ensure that waste management policy of the government is enforced and anyone caught dumping refuse at the median section of roads is disciplined. They must be ready to patrol at night as most solid waste are dumped overnight.
7. Lastly the government should seek local and foreign investments in waste management and conversion. These wastes can be processed and recycled.
We can change the culture in the city of Ibadan to that of cleanliness and sustainable development.
