By Sani Idris Abdulrahman
A Kaduna based (NGO), The BEACON of Transformative and Inclusive Development Center (The BEACON), has urged Nigerians to make environmental cleanliness a daily responsibility beyond World Cleanup Day.
Mrs Abigail Olatunde, Executive Director of The BEACON, made the call in a statement on Saturday in Kaduna, ahead of the World Cleanup Day, marked globally on Sept. 20.
She said the annual cleanup should not only focus on removing waste but also encourage communities to examine their attitudes toward consumption and waste management.
According to her, streets, waterways and neighbourhoods can be cleaned within hours but they will quickly return to their previous condition if waste-generating habits remain unchanged.
“Cleanup is one day. Keeping it clean, is every day,” she said.
Olatunde said seemingly insignificant actions, such as throwing bottles from vehicles, dumping refuse beside drainage channels and abandoning plastic bags, could become major public problems when repeated daily.
She said poorly managed waste could obstruct drainage, contribute to flooding, contaminate water and soil, create breeding grounds for disease vectors and undermine the safety of public spaces.
”The effects of unhealthy environments are not experienced equally, particularly by persons with disabilities, older people, children and those with limited mobility.”
She said blocked walkways, scattered waste and flooded surroundings could create additional barriers for wheelchair users and people with visual impairment.
“At The BEACON, we therefore see environmental responsibility as part of inclusive development.
“A community cannot be described as truly inclusive if some people cannot safely navigate its streets, markets, schools and public spaces,” she said.
Olatunde said environmental responsibility did not always require large projects or substantial funding, urging people to adopt simple practices that could reduce waste.
She listed responsible waste disposal, reducing unnecessary consumption, reusing materials, separating recyclable items where facilities existed, reducing food waste and teaching children to protect public spaces.
The executive director also called for stronger institutional support through reliable waste collection, appropriate disposal facilities, environmental education and enforcement of reasonable environmental standards.
She urged government and relevant institutions to integrate accessibility and sustainability into urban planning.
Olatunde said World Cleanup Day should prompt people to ask not only how much waste had been collected but also how much waste could have been prevented.
She said The BEACON’s contribution to this year’s observance would begin with conversation and advocacy to promote a different relationship with the environment.
“We may not be gathering hundreds of volunteers for a large cleanup exercise, but responsible citizenship does not begin with the size of an event.
“It begins with recognising that each of us leaves a footprint on the places we call home,” she said.
Olatunde said a cleaner Kaduna, Nigeria and healthier planet could not be achieved through one commemorative day, but through daily decisions and communities designed to enable everyone to participate and move with dignity.(NAN)
Edited by GreggMmaduakolam and Yakubu Uba