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.
