Create proper waste disposal sites in Oyo, Expert urges Makinde
An expert in Environmental and Engineering Geology, Prof. Ibrahim Oyediran, has advised Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to establish engineered waste disposal sites.
Oyediran, who gave the advice in an interview in Ibadan on Tuesday, said such sites would protect the environment against perennial flooding and indiscriminate waste dumps.
According to Oyediran, of the Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, the simplest and most effective way to deal with waste is to ensure that it does not arise.
He said that when there was refuse, it was important to manage it properly to ensure environmental protection.
“Gov. Seyi Makinde should ensure that qualified geoscientists are involved whenever waste disposal sites are to be constructed in order to ensure environmental sustainability,” he said.
The environmental expert stressed that waste sites should be located far away from habitable areas, airports, water bodies, and highways.
”The risk to aquatic life when it is close to water bodies is inherent.
“It may interest you to know that if dump sites are located close to airports, birds may become a source of danger and can obstruct flight movement.
“Moreover, scavengers, such as animals and even human beings, may go to the dump sites, and their presence might impede traffic flow and pose great danger to the smooth operations of such sites.
“Also, you cannot locate waste sites in flood-prone areas and areas with high water tables in order to prevent groundwater contamination.
“Furthermore, you cannot situate a waste dump site in an area that is geologically unstable and on chemically active rock,” he said.
The don noted that the role of geoscientists was crucial in identifying appropriate locations for waste dumping.
“First, we need to invest in campaigns and public awareness, that is, sensitizing people on the danger of indiscriminate waste dumping.
“The government should be more proactive in punishing people whose actions or inactions constitute a danger to proper waste disposal or the free flow of water,” he said.
The geological engineer called on the state government to invest in the establishment of an engineered sanitary landfill and also encourage waste sorting.
He said that waste sorting would reveal refuse that could be recycled and those that could not, thus helping the government make decisions on what to do with them.
Oyediran noted that wealth creation and employment generation could result from having a well-structured waste management system.
The geologist advised the state government to explore the possibility of using waste to generate gas for powering homes.
He added that the government could also embark on the production of fertilizer, which he described as another means of creating wealth.
