Malaria: Stop indiscriminate dumping of waste to reduce malaria scourge, says ecologist

Omotosho, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, urged people to imbibe the culture of taking care of their environment.</p> <p>

An ecologist, Mr Habib Omotosho, has urged the three tiers of government to invest in liquid waste management and prevent people from indiscriminate dumping of waste to reduce malaria scourge.

Omotosho, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, urged people to imbibe the culture of taking care of their environment.

According to him, governments should invest in advocacy, fumigation and other basic facilities to enforce the war against indiscriminate dumping of solid and liquid waste.

“Governments should enforce discipline on those who liter the environment indiscriminately with solid and liquid waste to stop breeding of mosquitoes and combat malaria in the country,’’ he said.

Omotosho, who is also the National Coordinator, Environmental Advancement Initiatives, urged Nigerians to preach attitudinal change toward solid and liquid waste management.

“Indiscriminate dumping of solid and liquid waste or uncollected solid waste can block the drains leading to flooding and spread of waterborne diseases.

“Solid waste that is not properly disposed of, especially excreta and other refuse from households and the community, pose serious health hazard, which can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.

“Unattended waste lying around attracts flies, rats, and other creatures that in turn spread diseases.

“This also leads to unhygienic conditions and rise in health problems,’’ he said.