Littering of sachet water nylon, papers, gala wraps, etc have rendered our environment dirty. These have manifested in the environmental condition of our towns and cities, which is characterized by littered environment.

NESREA officials inspecting a littered environment at Abuja Municipal. Source: NESREA

However, the National Environmental Standard and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has embarked on a campaign, in order to enlighten the general public on the importance of a littered-free environment. According to the NESREA website;

"The Sensitization/Compliance Monitoring team of NESREA visited places such as Nyanya market and Motor parks,  Hospitals, Schools, hotels, Residential Areas and Shops. Other Places covered were Karu, Jikwoyi and Durumi.

The people were mobilized to clean their surroundings and they were sensitized on the adverse effect of  unhealthy environmental practices.

For instance at Nyanya market, the NESREA team met with the Management of the market and intimated them on the aim of their visit. Then, together they went round the market to sensitize individual occupants of shops on the health effect associated with littering and poor environmental condition in the market and its environs. The sensitization campaign was carried out in every section of Nyanya market, motor parks, mechanic workshops and environs.

The awareness team went to Karu and Jikwoyi, where schools, occupant of shops, hotels and traders were sensitized on the effect of littering. They were also advised to inculcate sound environmental practices in their daily activies.

At Durumi the team observed that most of the houses in the village did not have toilet facilities and the few that had channel their waste water to the street because they did not have septic tanks. They were sensitized on the effects of their actions which could lead to an out break of epidemic. Some of the residents and traders at Durumi were mobilized to clean their environment and advised to keep the surroundings clean always.
A total no of twenty-six (26) abatement notices were issued to land lords and shop owners."

Although it is a good campaign, however, it should be replicated in all parts of the country.Effort of NESREA should not only be concentrated at the Federal Level, Its activities need to be trickled down to other parts of Nigeria.