Kogi State Commissioner Urges Proper Waste Disposal in Lokoja

Indiscriminate refuse dumping in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, has raised significant concerns regarding public health, environmental pollution, and flooding. Residents are urged to adopt proper waste disposal practices as they frequently dump refuse at unauthorized locations, obstructing drainage channels and increasing flooding risks.

Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun Stephen, the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, expressed his concerns during an assessment of a temporary dumpsite along the Felele Expressway. He highlighted that improper waste disposal poses serious health threats and emphasized the need for efficient waste collection systems.

The Kogi State Government has previously raised alarms about the expansion of the temporary dumpsite and has collaborated with the National Water Resources Institute to assess suitable dumpsite locations. The Kogi State Development Plan identifies inadequate waste disposal facilities as a major environmental challenge, noting that residents often dump refuse in built-up areas and drainage channels.

The state's environmental strategy aims to curb indiscriminate waste dumping and improve waste disposal practices.