Dr. Mrs Ibukun Odusote, former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Peers International, DPI, has called for collective efforts to promote environmental sustainability, responsible plastic use, cleaner communities, and youth-driven solutions to plastic pollution in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
Odusote advocated for behavioural change, encouraging innovation in plastic waste management, helping businesses, and generating long-term possibilities for young people in the plastic value chain.
She also pinpointed the importance of the activities of informal waste pickers and recyclers, popularly known called Baban bola also or babanbolas in Abuja and other northern states.
While many Nigerians have asked for their removal from city centers because to suspected criminal activities, Dr Odusote highlighted how they help to remove and recycle plastic garbage from the streets.
While many of these people are honest workers motivated by poverty, the group is very contentious, with authorities and locals routinely associating them to organised crime, damage of key public facilities, and burglary in residential neighbourhoods.
Due to public outrage and security concerns, both the FCT Administration and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have imposed scavenging restrictions in the city center, limiting it to approved dump sites.
Speaking at the FCT clean-up exercise as part of the DPI-SG project “Deploying the Power of IT-Engaged Youths in Effective Plastic Use and Plastic Waste Management 2.0,” which is supported by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, the Global Environment Facility, GEF, and the Small Gra Programme, SGP, the environmental chief stated that environmental responsibility is a collective duty.
She stated, “Cleaner communities necessitate collaborative action, dedication, and consistency from all stakeholders.
“Baban bola, you have no idea how much work you do to protect the environment. We appreciate your efforts in recycling plastic garbage…
Also speaking during the cleaning exercise, Engr Sherifat Lawal, the Divisional Head (Waste Disposal Facility & Resource Recovery), represented by Eyo Maureen from the AEPB office, harped on the concerns for the health of the environment and communities.
She explained, “The environment is our shared home. The way we treat it today will determine the kind of future we leave for coming generations. Unfortunately, indiscriminate dumping of waste, poor sanitation practices, and environmental pollution continue to threaten public health, contribute to flooding, and damage our ecosystem.
“Cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility, not just government institutions. Every individual, household, market, school, and organization contributes to the cleanliness and safety of our surrounds.
“When we dispose off waste properly, recycle reusable materials, and maintain clean surroundings, we help to prevent diseases, protect our drainage systems, and improve the beauty of our communities.”