By Martha Agas, JOS
Centre For Earth Works (CFEW), an NGO, says it has trained 20 scavengers in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state, on production of organic manure from waste, to boost their livelihood.
Team Lead of CFEW, Benson Dotun, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Jos.
He said that the scavengers were trained on using waste for the production of organic manure, while building their businesses through having a savings system.
“Participants were exposed to vast knowledge on how to gather waste and detailed instructions on how to make a backyard compost and to reduce food waste,” he said.
He explained the need for the scavengers to acquire more skills to enhance their livelihood , adding that they were also trained on health and safety.
“CFEW is passionate about securing the earth and empowering communities towards solving environmental challenges.
”The training was with support from Alliance For Incinerators Alternatives with the aim of contributing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals .
“Part of our engagement is environmental engagement in schools , awareness creation, online advocacy, and also engagement with informal waste pickers which started during the COVID-19 lock down ,” he said.
Dotun said the organisation provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to 50 scavengers during the COVID-19 lockdown , which covered complete kit comprising boots , nose masks and hand gloves.
He said the scavenger were encouraged to have regular health checks especially when injured, and to also have multiple work clothes.
The team lead said the engagement with the scavengers in the state would be continuous, adding that the organisation recently organised a training on eco literacy in Dilimi community of Jos North Local Government Area.
NAN