Esther Salifu
The Federal Ministry of Environment has said integrating Waste Pickers commonly known as “Baban Bolla” into the formal Waste Management sector will tackle the challenges they encounter in Nigeria.
The ministry disclosed this during a National Digital repository organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO) Tearfund Nigeria to address Waste Pickers challenges.
In the keynote address by the Hon. Minister Representative, Director III, Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Omotunde Adeola, said Waste pickers popularly known as “Baban Bolla” are the backbone of the waste recovery, contributing significantly to the recycling and circular economy.
“They form the informal group whose activities encompasses all aspect of waste management from collection, sorting, transportation, processing and selling of recovered and recyclable materials to earn a living. They have established such a high network of operation and distribution of valuables both within and outside the country, they can therefore not be overlooked in the value chain”.
According to Adeola, Waste Pickers activities are not formalised which results in lack of coordination and regulation by government agencies and lack access to adequate medical facilities or first aid treatment.
She said Waste Pickers live in Shanties or makeshift house there is a bad perception due to activities of some miscreants who commit illegal activities like theft and Security Bridge.
Speaking on the solution, she said through training and capacity building, social protection and inclusion by ensuring access to healthcare, education and social services and strengthening laws and policies to protect waste pickers’ rights and interests.
In his speech UNICEF representative Chinranjibi Tiwari, said “UNICEF’s YOU-CAN (Youth for Climate action in Nigeria) is also looking at how youth and children could be mobilized in plastic waste management in the country.
“Therefore, this workshop is very important for us to support! UNICEF remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders in this important initiative”, he added.
Representative from ILO stated that “We are at a time waste is one of the fastest growing challenges faced by mankind today, with approximately 2.01 billion metric tonnes of solid waste generated globally each year. Its significant impact on the environment, society and human health, are gradually becoming an increasing challenge for the world”
He further highlighted the challenges of wastepickers “The identified common human rights impacts experienced by waste pickers in the plastics value chain includes, Income inadequacy, instability and insecurity “
He concluded that “No doubt, the Development of a Repository for Waste Pickers in Nigeria will be crucial in addressing these challenges”
