Nasarawa State Government has warned residents against poor sanitation practices, saying indiscriminate waste disposal continues to fuel preventable diseases and increase healthcare costs across communities.
Gatekeepers News reports that the warning was issued on Tuesday during a community cleanup and environmental sensitisation campaign in Masaka, Karu Local Government Area, organised under the Digital Peers International-Small Grant Project (DPI-SGP) on plastic waste management and environmental sustainability.
The awareness drive comes amid reports that Nigeria loses an estimated N455 billion annually to poor sanitation and environment-related health challenges, representing about 1.3 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), Mohammed Bello Isa, said poor environmental practices remain a major contributor to public health challenges, environmental degradation and economic losses.
Represented by the Director of Waste Management, Dr. Ishaq Abubakar Ibrahim, Isa stressed that environmental cleanliness is directly linked to the health, safety and economic wellbeing of communities.
“Poor waste disposal practices contribute significantly to environmental degradation, flooding, air and water pollution, and vector-borne diseases,” he said.
He noted that the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule remains committed to strengthening sanitation systems through improved waste collection, recycling programmes and sustained public enlightenment campaigns.
According to him, maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility that requires the participation of all stakeholders.
“Every household, business owner, institution and community leader has a role to play in waste reduction, proper segregation, recycling and responsible disposal,” he said.
Isa described the cleanup exercise as both symbolic and practical, adding that environmental awareness must be accompanied by concrete action to achieve lasting results.
He disclosed that NASWAMSA provided waste evacuation trucks and personnel to support the exercise, noting that Masaka remains one of the most challenging communities in the Karu axis in terms of waste management.
“This exercise will beautify Masaka. The waste will be evacuated and properly disposed of at designated sites,” he said.
The NASWAMSA boss also linked sanitation directly to public health outcomes, explaining that cleaner environments reduce disease outbreaks and ease pressure on healthcare facilities.
“Once a community is clean and well managed, the burden of disease reduces significantly, and fewer people will need medical attention for waste-related illnesses,” he said.
He further highlighted the economic opportunities within the waste management sector, describing waste as a valuable resource that can generate jobs and wealth through recycling and recovery initiatives.
“Waste is not just waste. It is a resource. What one person discards can be valuable to another,” he said.
Isa cited ongoing waste recovery programmes and plastic recycling partnerships involving government agencies and private sector stakeholders, including collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).
He added that organic waste, which makes up a significant portion of the waste stream in Nasarawa State, can be converted into organic manure for agricultural use, while plastics can be recycled into useful products.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health at NASWAMSA, Dr. Joseph David Anzaku, warned that indiscriminate waste disposal exposes communities to infectious and tropical diseases, leading to avoidable healthcare expenses.
“The dangers of poor waste management are numerous. They include the spread of infectious diseases and the diversion of resources meant for family welfare into unnecessary medical treatments,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Digital Peers International, Dr. Ibukun Odusote, represented by Programme Officer Pada Zadunya, said the initiative, titled “Deploying the Power of IT-Engaged Youths in Effective Plastic Use and Plastic Waste Management 2.0,” is designed to promote environmental sustainability through youth participation, innovation and behavioural change.
She explained that the project, supported by the UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (UNDP-GEF SGP) Nigeria, seeks to address plastic pollution while creating economic opportunities for young people.
Odusote emphasised that environmental responsibility requires sustained commitment from all stakeholders and urged participants to become advocates for cleanliness and proper waste management within their communities.
The exercise featured environmental cleanup activities, public sensitisation campaigns and stakeholder engagements aimed at improving waste management practices in Masaka and neighbouring communities.
