Streets stink, as refuse collectors continue strike

Heaps of refuse have taken over streets in Kaduna metropolis following an indefinite strike by refuse collectors, due to the failure of the state government to pay them for six months.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that strike, which began about a week ago, has left major streets, markets and residential areas with mountains of refuse, some covering roads and drains.

At Kawo, Chechenia, and Sabo markets, traders and customers complained of the 'filthy situation', urging the government to address the issue promptly.

A resident, Ibrahim Shuaibu, said it was "very disturbing that the government ignored to pay the refuse collectors for too long, thereby, putting public health in great danger.

"The filthy environment is capable of leading to a major outbreak of diseases, which may affect a lot of people.

"The state government should adopt remedial measures to evacuate the refuse as it resolves whatever differences it has with the refuse collectors.''

Another resident, Isaia Shock, said the situation was "awful'', adding that it was compounded by the fact that there were no designated refuse dumps in most places.

"People just dump their waste anywhere, it is not healthy'', he lamented.

The State Director of Environment, Mr Salihu Ahmed, declined comment, saying only the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ya'u Idris, would speak on the matter.

The commissioner, was however, said to be attending a meeting of the State Executive Council.

A competent source at the ministry of environment, said negotiation was on between government and the refuse collectors.

"There has been no agreement yet, but we are talking,’’ the source said.

NAN reports that the previous administration of ex-Gov. Mukhtar Yero, had at the time said it paid N90 million monthly to 58 refuse collection companies it hired to evacuate refuse across the state