The Edo State House of Assembly has expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on major roads and drainages amid the cholera outbreak.
The members of the House voiced their concerns while deliberating on a motion on a matter of public importance moved by Maria Edeko, the Deputy Speaker of the House (PDP, Esan North-East II).
Edeko, the chief sponsor of the motion titled, “A Motion Calling on the Local Government Chairmen, Edo State Waste Management Board, Ministry of Environment and Sustainability and Other Relevant Agencies in Edo State to Arrest the Menace of Indiscriminate Dumping of Refuse on Major Roads, Drains and in Authorized Places in Towns and Cities in Edo State,” co-sponsored by ten other lawmakers, mentioned that random dumping of refuse on roads and in drainages creates health hazards.
She said the random dumping of refuse in sacks on major roads around Uromi Main Market, New Benin Market and others in the state is a potential avenue through which cholera could spread as the nation grapples with the outbreak.
“Furthermore, it causes emission of offensive odour; [it is] an eyesore and [it] reduces the aesthetic value of our towns and cities.
“The habit of dumping refuse and other waste materials indiscriminately in drainages obstructs the free flow of flood and is a major cause of flooding and gully erosion in our villages, towns and cities,” she said.
Edeko called on the local government chairmen to erect refuse dump sites and create monitoring teams to supervise refuse dumping, especially at night. She implored health officials to sensitise the public on the importance of proper waste disposal and environmental sanitation.
The motion gained unanimous support, and lawmakers urged that monthly environmental sanitation be implemented.