Addressing the Waste Management Crisis in Edo State: A Call for Urgent Action

Introduction:

To mark World Environment Day, the Nigeria Green Earth Initiative (NGEi), a youth-led non-profit organization, recently conducted an environmental sanitation and sensitization exercise in partnership with other NGOs and the Edo State Waste Management Board. During this event, an alarming waste management crisis was unveiled at Ulumuza Market, Useh branch, situated in Egor Local Government, Edo State. This article sheds light on the grave health hazards posed by the prevailing situation and calls for immediate solutions.

The State of Useh Market:

Engaging stakeholders and market leaders, NGEi President Davies Ugowe discovered a distressing reality. Useh Market, like many other markets in the state, was plagued by heaps of waste that accumulated near its entrances and on the nearby roads. The extent of this problem was shocking, with the situation even reaching the community town hall, leaving no area untouched by this growing crisis.

Unveiling the Root Causes:

In discussions with Mama Ofure, the market's woman leader, it was revealed that Useh Market consisted of two sections: the main market, officially recognized by the government, where trading occurs every four days, and a new market that emerged due to ongoing road construction, which now operates on private land. Despite this distinction, tickets issued by the government still bear the name of the main market. Astonishingly, the waste dumpsite at the new market had remained untouched for over 20 years. Mama Ofure stressed that even the dumpsite at the smaller market paled in comparison to the massive dumpsite at the main Useh Market.

Insights from the Palace:

Seeking further understanding, NGEi representatives met with His Royal Highness, the Enogie of Useh and Mr. Olomuza, a spokesperson of the Enogie of Useh on this issue, at the palace. During the visit, Mr. Olomuza explained that due to the absence of a local government chairman, the responsibility for waste management had been neglected for several years. He detailed the current makeshift approach adopted by the market community, involving burning the waste during dry seasons and burying the residue in nearby locations. Unfortunately, the previous waste burials had not decomposed, making this practice both detrimental to health and unsafe for the market's residents, traders, and buyers. To make matters worse, the community has had to bear the financial burden of excavating and transporting the remaining waste to the permanent dumpsite, expending significant amounts of their own money.

A Plea for Assistance:

Mr. Raymond, the market chairman of Useh Market, who also attended the meeting and revealed that the primary reason for the escalating waste problem was the impassable condition of the roads especially during the rainy season, hindering waste trucks from accessing the market for regular evacuation. He mentioned the existence of a government committee responsible for waste management in the market and assured us of adequate evacuation of the waste during the dry season. But NGEi expressed dissatisfaction with the current annual waste clearance arrangement, which is grossly inadequate for a public-owned facility.

Proposed Solutions:

The market stakeholders propose a viable solution to this crisis. If they can reach an agreement with the government to provide three to four waste trucks on a monthly basis, the market community is willing to cover the cost of fueling these trucks, ensuring regular waste evacuation from both the breakout market and the main market. They urgently appeal to the relevant authorities, including the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainability, the Commissioner of Health, and the Director of Waste Management Board, to intervene and address this pressing waste problem.

Conclusion:

The waste management crisis at Useh Market highlights a systemic issue affecting the health and well-being of the community. Urgent action is required from the government and relevant authorities to resolve this matter promptly. By collaborating with market stakeholders and addressing the root causes, we can transform this dire situation into an opportunity for sustainable waste management and a healthier environment for all.