An advocacy group, Nana Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (NAEF), an Environmental and Climate Action Efforts Centre, has initiated what it calls strengthening partnerships for a Cleaner Ungwan Rimi, a district in the Kaduna State capital.
The project led by the Founder and Executive Director of the NGO, Aisha Yahaya Ibrahim brought together 25 key stakeholders including community heads and representatives from different quarters to create awareness and engage in strategic discussions on building support for the campaign.
Areas being focused on, include waste evacuation from streets towards improving the environment and reducing public health risks within the community as well as sensitisation and distribution of waste materials and creating lasting community ownership through-:
1. Door-to-door environmental sensitization led by the NAEF team.
2. Distribution of waste materials (sacks, trash cans, and containers) to households to support proper waste collection and disposal.
3. Establishment of Community Environmental Clubs to promote long-term sanitation, community participation, and the sustainability of the project.
At a meeting with the District Head of Gabasawa at Ungwan Rimi, Alhaji Ibrahim Shittu Diko , the NGO presented a number of recommendations aimed at localising environmental policies and strengthening community-led environmental sanitation across the district.
The recommendations are, the establishment of Community Environmental Clubs to serve as a bridge between the community, the District Head, and waste collection truck operators. The clubs will coordinate household waste collection, monitor environmental sanitation and community compliance, promote positive environmental practices, report environmental concerns to the District Head, and support the long-term sustainability of the project.
2. Authorization for a community-wide environmental sensitization campaign across markets and neighborhoods to educate households and community members on proper waste management and environmental responsibility.
3. The development of a simple community-based environmental policy that introduces fines for indiscriminate waste disposal in gutters, roadsides, and other public spaces, encouraging accountability and responsible environmental practices.
4. A directive requiring shop owners along major roads to keep the gutters in front of their shops clean and to refrain from disposing of waste in drainage channels.
Responding, the District Head who commended the NGO for its commitment to improving environmental sanitation, accepted all the recommendations and pledged his full support for the initiative.
The meeting agreed to extend the initiative beyond Ungwan Rimi to neighbouring communities including Kabala, Ungwan Dosa, Ungwan Sarki which are under the District.
According to experts, the engagement represents an important step towards creating a sustainable Community- driven system for environmental sanitation and waste management.
