Nasarawa: Poor Waste Management Drives Pollution and Disease Outbreaks, Says NASWAMSA and DPI

The Director‑General of the Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA), Hon. Dr. Mohammed Bello Isa, warned about the risks of indiscriminate waste dumping across the country.

Isa, speaking on behalf of NASWAMSA’s Director of Waste Management, made the remarks at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)–backed Nasarawa State Community Cleanup and Environmental Sensitization Exercise, organized by Digital Peers International on Tuesday.

He emphasized that environmental cleanliness is directly linked to the health, safety, and economic well‑being of communities, and that poor waste disposal practices contribute significantly to environmental degradation, flooding, air and water pollution, vector‑borne diseases, and other public health challenges.

According to him, “Every improperly disposed waste item has the potential to become a source of disease, environmental nuisance, and economic loss.”

“The challenge of waste management cannot be left to government alone. Environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility. Every household, business owner, institution, market association, community leader, and citizen has a role to play,” he added.

Isa urged citizens to adopt waste reduction, proper segregation, recycling and resource recovery, responsible disposal practices, and community participation in sanitation activities.

“Let us remember that a clean environment is not only a reflection of responsible citizenship but also an investment in the health and future of generations yet unborn,” he said.

Retired Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Chief Executive Officer of DPI, Dr. Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, also spoke. She called for the promotion of environmental sustainability, responsible plastic use, cleaner communities, and youth‑driven solutions to plastic pollution within Nasarawa State and beyond.

Odusote highlighted the need to build awareness, foster behavioral change, encourage innovation in plastic waste management, support green enterprises, and create sustainable opportunities for young people within the plastic value chain.