Environmental Experts Urge Waste Management Overhaul to Combat Flooding in Ogun State
Abeokuta, Nigeria – Environmental specialists have issued a stark warning: poor waste disposal habits are exacerbating flooding across Ogun State, putting communities at greater risk during heavy rains.
At a workshop in Abeokuta on Thursday, experts from the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and academia called for urgent reforms, including stricter enforcement of waste policies and a shift toward sustainable production.
Blocked Drains, Bigger Floods
The workshop, themed “Introduction to Circular Economy and Green Economy,” highlighted how plastic waste and industrial pollution clog drainage systems, worsening flood damage.
Lanre Jimoh, NESREA’s Ogun State Coordinator, stressed that industries must adopt Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)—a policy requiring manufacturers to manage waste from their products.
“EPR isn’t optional,” Jimoh said. “Proper implementation reduces pollution, safeguards water and land, and even creates jobs.” He urged businesses to design longer-lasting, recyclable products and cut hazardous materials.
Climate Change and Carbon Cuts
Professor Adewale Taiwo of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), tied Nigeria’s flooding crisis to broader climate issues. Burning fossil fuels, he noted, spews carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, triggering extreme weather—from droughts to torrential rains.
“Decarbonization is non-negotiable,” Taiwo insisted. He pushed for renewable energy like solar, wind, and biogas to replace high-carbon sources.
Fellow FUNAAB scholar Professor John Oyedepo echoed the call, citing Rwanda’s ban on plastic bags as a model. “Indiscriminate waste dumping harms everyone,” he said. “We must reduce bush burning, fossil fuel use, and embrace green financing.”
Health and Economic Benefits
Opone Valentine of ACCAPPOCCO Global Services linked waste reform to public health. Open burning and unregulated industrial processes release toxic pollutants, he explained, contributing to cancer and respiratory diseases.
“A circular economy—where waste is reused—can slash pollution and disease rates,” Valentine said. “Closed industrial systems mean cleaner air and water.”
What’s Next?
The experts agreed: Nigeria needs systemic change, from consumer habits to corporate accountability. With flooding seasons growing more severe, the time for action is now.
— Reported by Nexio News
