Rainfall is not an opportunity for waste disposal – Expert

Residents of Ibadan, Oyo State capital have been warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drains and streams during rainfall.

An environmental and water resources management expert, who is also a senior lecturer, at the Leadcity University, Ibadan, Dr Grace Oloukoi stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the dangers of unregulated refuse dump in the environment.

Dr Oloukoi said Nigerians often forget the disasters associated with indiscriminate refuse dumped in drains, saying rainfall should not be seen as opportunity for waste disposal.

She said aside flooding that accompanies uncontrolled refuse dump, outbreak of diseases and loss of life and property according to her constitute some of the aftermaths of careless disposal of refuse.

The expert, who advised Oyo State Government to enforce policies on environmental protection, said investors should be encouraged to promote wastes conversion to boost the state’s economy.

Dr. Oloukoi stressed the need for residents to be sensitive to rainfall predictions by National Meteorological Agency, NIMET, so as not fall victim of flooding in the year.

Rotimi Famakin