By Shehu Muhammad Shehu, SaharaReporters
Ibrahim Ali, a 65-year-old resident of the Kofar Dundaye area in Sokoto metropolis, is thankful to God for surviving after falling seriously ill from inhaling smoke at a burned dump site.
Ali suffered severely from smoke exposure, to the point where he required hospital treatment and spent a significant amount of money on medication, despite the high cost of living in the country. Describing his ordeal with distress, he recounted, “The last time the refuse was burned, I inhaled the smoke and immediately fell ill. I had to visit the hospital for treatment, incurring expenses despite not having the money.”
Ali further lamented that the refuse and dump sites have been causing significant disturbances for both residents and commuters, as the waste nearly covers the main road. He added that he couldn’t recall the last time the government cleared the site.
As you leave the Sokoto cattle market and approach Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko Jumu’atu Mosque along the Sokoto Western Bypass in the Kofar Ɗunɗaye area, the abandoned dump site—where waste has been indiscriminately disposed of for years—stands as a stark reminder of this ongoing issue.
The dump has grown so large that it now spills onto the main road, raising serious concerns for commuters navigating the highway.
A study highlights that indiscriminate solid waste disposal is one of the major environmental challenges facing developing countries. Health hazards, traffic congestion, unpleasant odors, and the blockage of drainages are just some of the problems caused by poor waste management practices in Nigeria.
“It Affects Our Health and Our Business” Small-Scale Business Owners Groan
Muhammadu Abacha, a meat seller near the dump site, said he cannot remember the last time the government cleared or evacuated the site. He noted that it has been over six months, and only the government can address the issue.
Abacha lamented that the site was never intended for waste disposal, but due to the absence of an officially designated dump site in the area, people have been using it. He added that some residents come on foot, while others use vehicles to dispose of their refuse.
He explained, “I sell meat here, and when people come to buy and are greeted by the odor, they are discouraged. The dump site has almost occupied the main road, as you can see.”
He urged the government to either remove the refuse from the road or help clear the site.
Similarly, Anwar Aliyu, a food vendor in the area, described the dump site as a threat to his business and public health, especially during the rainy season.
Aliyu said, “The smell of the abandoned refuse, particularly during the rainy season, deters my customers. After rainfall, the air becomes so foul that it is hard to breathe. Consequently, people cannot comfortably stay and buy my food.”
Aliyu explained that the refuse has been accumulating for about five years, and they are unsure when it will be cleared, as the plot owner appears to be using refuse to fill the area.
Anwar Aliyu’s business site. Photo credit: Shehu Muhammad Shehu
He expressed concern over the lack of a proper dump site, stating that the current site was once bought by someone who left it, leading to improper waste disposal. He called on the plot owner to either start working on the area or clear the refuse, as it is impacting their health and businesses.
This report gathered that the land belongs to the owner of a nearby filling station, but residents have turned it into a dump site due to the absence of designated waste disposal in the area.
Government’s Failure
To ensure a clean and safe environment, the Sokoto State Government established the then Sokoto Urban Development Authority (SUDA) which is now known as the State Urban and Regional Planning Board (SURPB), and the State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), to monitor the environmental quality and to ensure a refuse-free environment.
In the 2024 Sokoto state-approved budget, 4.3 billion naira was allocated to the Ministry of Environment, while the State Environmental Protection Agency received only 13.2 million naira. This shows a significant underfunding of the SEPA considering the population of the Sokoto metropolis. However, in the 2023 approved budget, the same amount was allocated for the agency and the performance of the 2023 budget indicated that no single naira was spent under the agency.
2024 Sokoto state approved budget for the Ministry of Environment. Photo credit: Shehu Muhammad Shehu
As a result of this inadequate funding, several areas in the Sokoto metropolis continue to struggle with improper waste disposal and inadequate waste evacuation. In areas like Kofar Ɗunɗaye, Dambuwa, Bafarawa Estate, Tamaje area, Kasuwar Daji, Gagi, Manna-ƙarama, Mabera, and many areas it’s difficult to find designated waste disposal sites, leading residents to dump refuse wherever they choose.
This situation contributes to open defecation in many areas, which experts warn could lead to outbreaks of cholera and other airborne diseases.
According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), as of August 11, 2024, there have been 5,951 suspected cases of cholera, including 176 deaths, reported across 36 states of Nigeria, including Sokoto State. The disease is believed to be caused by drinking contaminated water, poor personal and environmental hygiene which is one of the major issues Sokoto metropolis is facing.
Comparatively, suspected cholera cases this year have increased by 108% compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, cumulative deaths have risen by 105% in 2024.
These challenges hinder efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Number Six of the United Nations which aims to end open defecation by 2030 and achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.
Most areas in Sokoto metropolises burn their refuse instead of evacuating, which endangers public health, contributes to global warming, and leads to environmental pollution and climate change.
One beautiful Friday morning, people gathered outside a house in the Dambuwa area to buy waina, (a local food made from rice) while the smoke and smell from the large dump site nearby greeted them.
Hussaini Alƙasim, who usually collects money from people to buy waina (traditional dish made with rice) for them, lamented the abandoned dump site situated near their house, opposite Total Child School. He noted that nobody has ever visited the site to clear it. “During the dry season, farmers evacuate the refuse to their fields, but in the rainy season, they burn it because no one will remove it, despite its proximity to the main road of the eastern bypass” he recounted.
He emphasized that they understand the implications of burning refuse, but they have no other options since the government has not evacuated it and has failed to provide designated waste disposal sites.
For people like Aliyu Magaji, who sells phone accessories by the roadside on the Eastern Bypass, it is shameful and painful for an ancient city like Sokoto to be as dirty as it is today. Visitors to Sokoto would be surprised by the level of dirt and dust in the city.
He mentioned that he cannot even remember the last time he saw road sweepers in the area, let alone waste evacuation services, especially where there are no officially designated places for waste disposal. They are forced to gather their refuse and burn it, despite the fact that they are aware of the implications, noting that they were compelled to do so because they have no option.
“We Are Trying Our Best”—Government
On a sunny Thursday, in October 2024, this reporter visited the office of the Executive Director of the Sokoto Environmental Protection Agency, located within the Ministry of Environment, but only met with his personal assistant.
When contacted, Nasiru Muhammad, the agency’s executive director, acknowledged the challenges that residents face and stated that they have asked the governor to provide the necessary facilities to increase the number of dump sites, saying that the current dump sites in the Sokoto metropolis are insufficient due to overpopulation.
He said N13.2 million allocated to the agency in the state budget is purely for fuel and vehicle maintenance, adding that they also receive a grant of N20 million for vehicle services required for their activities.
Muhammad stressed that the state government forwarded these requests to the State House of Assembly for approval, seeking new bankers and vehicles to help them sensitize the community and improve waste management
Experts Opinion
Environmental expert Nasir Lawal warned that indiscriminate waste disposal has significant implications for both public health and the environment.
He admonished that residents are at risk due to indiscriminate waste disposal as antimicrobial resistance is increasing. Consequently, antibiotics may become ineffective, leading to inadequate relief for patients. These issues are directly related to improper waste management.
Lawal also noted that such refuse can lead to cholera outbreaks, particularly affecting waste pickers like children. “Refuse can cause cholera outbreaks for waste pickers like children and other airborne diseases, which could result in the loss of many lives due to the disease’s transmissible nature.”
He emphasized the need for proper treatment of waste before disposal, as it often contains microbial diseases that pose a threat to public health.
This report was published with the support of Civic Media Lab