By Francis Nansak, Lafia

The Director General Nasarawa State Waste Management and Sanitation Authority (NASWAMSA) Hon, Mohamed Bello Isa has appealed to residents of Lafia, Karu and other urban centres across the state to remain patient as the Authority intensifies the evacuation of the huge volume of waste generated during the end-of-the-month Environmental Sanitation Exercise.

According to him as it is  usually experienced after every monthly sanitation exercise, residents bring large quantities of refuse to both designated and, unfortunately, undesignated waste collection points.

“This month is not exampted, as an unusually high volume of waste was deposited across several locations, creating enormous pressure on the Authority’s waste evacuation operations.

The DG made the appeal on behalf the NASWAMSA management on Thursday as ongoing evacuation across some major cities of the state is being carried out.

He added that under the purposeful leadership of his administration work will not be stand down but  immediate commencement of emergency evacuation of the accumulated waste and  simultaneous sustaining its routine waste collection services across Lafia, Mararaba, Masaka and other communities within the state is a priority.

He explained that the current exercise is extensive and requires continuous deployment of personnel, waste collection trucks and operational equipment to clear all affected locations and transport the waste to approved final disposal sites. Despite these challenges, dedicated staff of the Authority remain committed to restoring cleanliness in all communities.

“NASWAMSA acknowledges the concerns and complaints from residents in areas where evacuation is still ongoing and assures the public that no community will be abandoned.

“All identified waste collection points have been captured in the Authority’s operational schedule and will be attended to as quickly as logistics permit.

“Let me therefore appeal to Resident to exercise patience and cooperate with waste evacuation teams.Dispose waste only at approved collection points.Avoid dumping refuse on road medians, drainage channels and other unauthorized locations.

“Continue to support the government’s efforts towards maintaining a clean, healthy and environmentally friendly Nasarawa State” He urged.

Hon. Mohammed Bello Isa reaffirmed NASWAMSA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for all residents, stressing that environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility between government and the people.

“A clean Nasarawa is our collective responsibility. Together, let us keep our communities clean and safe” He concluded.