SWAMSEP TOWN HALL ADVOCACY
SWAMSEP TOWNHALL ADVOCACY
INTRODUCTION
Angels Support Foundation (ASF) organized a town hall advocacy meeting to discuss the Strengthening Waste management Systems for Sustainable Systems for Sustainable Environment Project (SWAMSEP). This project is funded by Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation. The advocacy meeting had representatives of local communities/ Primary and Secondary schools together with the project team who converged in Steam Lounge Hall in Makurdi on the 19th May 2022. Participants asked questions and made comments/contributions on Waste Management Solutions. They were all very enthusiastic to be part of the process in achieving the goals of SWAMSEP.
OBJECTIVE OF ADVOCACY
The objective of this meeting was to inform communities and schools about SWAMSEP and trigger them on waste management to gain support and commitment towards the project.
METHODOLOGY OF ADVOCACY
The meeting began with documentation of all the participants from communities and schools. Thereafter, they all were seated in the hall. The second stanza of the Nigerian National Anthem recited as the opening prayer and welcome address was delivered by Peace Iorwuese and was followed by introduction of all the participants present and an introduction of the Presiding Officers (PO) of SWAMSEP Project. Ground rules were set by participants in other to have peaceful and fruitful deliberations.
The goal of the project which is Strengthened solid waste management systems and improved environmental sanitation for 16, 000 beneficiaries (women, girls, men, boys) in 8 council wards in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Water & Sanitation) by 2023, was stated. A brief history of ASF and aim of the SWAMSEP meeting was outlined and was followed through Contributions and comments were from the audience as presented below.
ADVOCACY QUESTIONS/DISCUSSIONS
1. Will the programme capture sewage and drainage waste?
2. What are the possible ways of managing waste in communities and schools?
DISCUSSIONS
The programme captures different kinds of waste but with emphases on solid waste generated in the environment. Waste management is a business of all and it was on this note that everyone was brought together to deliberate on the issues surrounding waste and the environment. Comments were made from the discussions which are thus:
1. Community leaders should be in the forefront of sensitization on waste management.
2. Religious leaders should also be encouraged to speak on the need for proper waste management.
3. Proper waste management should be enforced deliberately at schools, markets and community spaces.
4. Task force, NGO’s in conjunction with the community leaders should hold discussions with community residents since it is believed residents would gladly obey voices from these pressure groups.
WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS SUGGESTED
1. Legislations should be proposed at state house of assembly to criminalize open defecation and indiscriminate waste disposal.
2. Menstrual waste and school waste should be properly burnt in incinerators and enclosed spaces such as in steel buckets and the ashes buried.
3. Waste like plastic and metals should be sorted /segregated and sold to generate income.
4. Religious leaders should lead the fight against indiscriminate waste disposal in their places of worship.
5. Designated waste collection points should be properly identified by the government.
6. Dustbins and waste collection bags be provided in homes and schools.
ROUND TABLE ADVOCACY WITH PARTNERS ON SWAMSEP
ROUND TABLE ADVOCACY WITH PARTNERS ON SWAMSEP
Strengthening Waste Management Systems for Sustainable Environment Project is implemented by Angel Support Foundation with funding and Technical support from Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation Nigeria. The project which commenced in May 2022 is aimed at reaching 16 000 people on knowledge of proper waste management.
OBJECTIVE OF ADVOCACY
The objective of this meeting was to inform stakeholders about the project and discuss possible ways to manage waste as well as advocate for the approval of a designated dumpsite in Benue state capital.
A brief introduction of guest drawn from Environmental Government Agencies (State and Federal), CSO, Private waste collectors, market leaders and some business owners was done by all.
Mr. Bamber Terseer welcomed the guests on behalf of the management of Angels Support Foundation (ASF) in conjunction with ACT Foundation. He expressed his deep desire that by the end of the meeting, the thoughts expressed will go a long way to giving the needed attention to the problem of waste management currently faced in Makurdi and Benue state at large.
GOODWILL MESSAGES.
Guest present were impressed to have been invited to be a part of the advocacy meeting, stating that it was timely. They expressed their resolve to show commitments on their own part in finding a workable solution to the issue of environmental waste management.
OVER VIEW OF PROJECT
Emmanuella Ikomon gave a general review of the Strengthening Waste Management Systems for Sustainable Environment Project (SWAMSEP). She identified that the project is a 12 month calendar project which targets 16,000 beneficiaries drawn from schools and communities located in the 11 council wards of Makurdi. Part of the SWAMSEP objectives are monthly sanitation, community advocacy and building of plastic brick toilet in selected schools in Makurdi.
DISCUSSIONS ON CHALLENGES OF WASTE MANAGERS AND THE CURRENT SITUATION IN MAKURDI LG.
Peace Iorwuese facilitated this discussion. The guests expressed their concerns and challenges they have faced while on duty of providing environmental services, Mr. Ibuh Terkula of BENSASA was of the opinion that most private waste collectors came into the business unprepared. He expressed dissatisfaction in service recipients that they do not have the willingness to pay for waste collected from their premises. He further noted that absence of vehicles has also greatly weakened the system.
Mrs Chile Serumun Mabe (NESREA) pointed out that lack of awareness as well as poor attitudinal state of people has also aggravated the problem of waste management. She further stated that waste should be seen as wealth and not a problem
On his part, Mr. Adaji Samuel Abu (BERWASA) called on private waste collectors to rise up to their responsibility of waste management. He said the office is always available to listen to the concerns and ready to help the best they can to the challenges faced by private waste collectors.
Mr. Asogbo Victor; an environmental activist and a private waste collector identified the issues that have been drag footing waste collection to be: multiple taxation, absence of designated dump site, high cost of running business and unwillingness of service recipients to pay for service rendered. Mr Ibrahim Terngu (Wurukum Market Chiarman) and Mr. Samson Labe (Water Company) called for government assistance and provision of incinerator respectively to help tackle this problem. Ben Odo (Devtrain) stated existing laws should be deliberately enforced.
The session was interesting as most speakers identified the need for urgent attention.
ANALYSIS OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE REGULATIONS ACT.
Mr. Loko Tarfa presented a paper on the topic titled Analysis of the National Environmental health practice Regulations ACT. The key points identified was that laws should be enforced and special court should be established to give speedy attention to the issues of environmental offenders. Reacting to this, Mr Ben Akaka emphasised that we can’t have a society when we destroy the environment. Mr. Ibuh added that Nigeria has one of the environmental policy formulations in the world. Mr. Ben Odo warned against showing partiality to environmental offenders. While Mr. Solomon Ikyo (HOSCOAN) called for more awareness.
DISCUSSIONS ON ACTIONABLE POINTS AND WHAT STAKEHOLDERS NEEDS TO DO, TO REVERSE THE SITUATION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
Tsavnande Michelle led the discussion. Guest stated that waste collection should be professionalized and not let to be handle by unskilful persons, more funding of the sector, establishment of neighbourhood sanitation communities to take the responsibility seriously and conflict of interest between service providers and government agencies should be resolved. Mr. Ibuh further stated that waste should be sorted before disposal, he emphasised that waste management is not just the business of the service provider but also of the service recipients.
Mr. Asogbo further emphasised on the need of a designated dump site saying the dump site in North Bank has be closed by the local communities who had become so angered by the nuisance arising from the mismanaged site. He stated that an ideal dumpsite should meet set up in line with international best practice. Mr. Odo warned against politicization of the sector. He narrated of the opportunities that are there in in waste collection. He gave an instance on citizen who is into the business of collecting leather, rubber and metals in Makurdi and how the business has been paying off well. Mr. Ibrahim expressed his commitment, he shared how under his watch, Wurukum market has been managing waste generated in the market even with the low availability of funds.
GROUP WORK: DEVELOPING AN ACTION PLAN AND WAY FORWARD
Two groups Government Agencies with CSO’s and Private waste collectors with Business owners were set to deliberate an action plan and proffer a way forward. Mr Bamber Terseer gave a template. The groups presented a communique on the challenges, solutions, timeline and responsibilities to the house as ASF collated the findings.