From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has called for the reposition of waste pickers management in Nigeria in order to make Environment more conducive for living.
He noted that waste pickers has a lot of challenges due to the public perceptions about their activities and the lack of coordination to make them more effective.
Environment minister, who was represented by the Director, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Omotunde Adeola, made the call during a one-day stakeholders meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment in partnership with International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Tearfund Nigeria, held in Abuja.
According to him, “we cannot speak about sustainable waste management without reference to the operation of waste pickers who form an integral part of the waste management value chain.
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“Waste pickers exists as unsung heroes but the truth is that they provide essential services which ensure protection of our environment and public health.
“Waste pickers popularly known as “Baban Bolla” are the backbone of the waste recovery, contributing significantly to the recycling and circular economy.
“They form the informal group whose activities encompasses all aspect of waste management from collection, sorting, transportation, processing and selling of recovered and recyclable materials to earn a living.
“They have established such a high network of operation and distribution of valuables both within and outside the country, they can therefore not be overlooked in the value chain.
“The growing demand for recyclable materials and the transition to a circular economy makes it very imperative for governments and the general public to recognise, regulate and integrate waste pickers into the overall waste management effort in order to unlock the immense economic potential using them as reliable foot soldiers.
“There is a growing recognition that waste pickers contribute to local economy, public health, safety and environmental sustainability but they are faced with negative public perception, deplorable living conditions and very little support from government both at the national and subnational levels”, he said.
The minister also pointed out the challenges waste pickers faced in Nigeria which includes, “living in Shanties or makeshift house, their activities are not formalised which results in lack of coordination and regulation by government agencies.
“They are exposed to several health hazards and risk due to exposure to hazardous wastes. They lack access to adequate medical facilities or first aid treatment and there is bad perception due to activities of some miscreants who commit illegal activities like theft and Security Bridge”, Lawal added.
