The Nasarawa State Government has officially declared a state of emergency on illegal refuse dumping across the state, with a special focus on Lafia, the state capital. The bold move aims to confront the growing environmental crisis caused by indiscriminate waste disposal, which authorities say is threatening public health and undermining the state’s image.
This declaration was made on Tuesday, July 9, 2025, by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Margaret Itake Elayo, during a press briefing with journalists. According to her, the state is determined to end the era of unchecked environmental degradation and restore cleanliness, safety, and dignity to its urban spaces.
The announcement came shortly after the Ministry of Environment installed a prominent warning signpost at Agwan Jaba, a community in Lafia notorious for illegal waste dumping. Located along a key highway in the Lafia metropolitan area, Agwan Jaba has become an eyesore, with heaps of refuse often accumulating just days after official clean-up operations.
Commissioner Elayo described the situation as not only embarrassing to the state but dangerous to the health of residents, especially in densely populated neighborhoods.
“This practice is damaging to the image of the state capital and constitutes a serious health risk,” she said. “Despite regular sanitation exercises, we continue to see the return of refuse piles within days. It is unacceptable.”
She emphasized that the government is now taking a firmer stance to protect public health and environmental sustainability. “Existing designated dumping sites are available, and failure to comply will lead to legal consequences,” she warned.
Elayo lamented that indiscriminate dumping, especially around schools and residential areas, has reached alarming levels. According to her, the Ministry is stepping up its public sensitization campaigns to ensure that residents understand the serious health hazards posed by unregulated refuse disposal.
“It’s not just about how the city looks,” she explained. “Environmental cleanliness is about preventing disease, protecting our children, and maintaining a standard of living that supports healthy communities.”
The commissioner announced that enforcement activities will be intensified, and that violators will no longer be spared. “Illegal dumping will no longer be tolerated,” she stated. “We are enforcing strict measures to make sure that those who flout sanitation laws are held accountable.”
Elayo also noted that the Ministry has begun mapping out illegal dumping hotspots across Lafia as part of a new data-driven approach to tackling the problem. “We are initiating a systematic documentation of all illegal dump sites. This will help us better monitor activities, deploy enforcement teams strategically, and ensure offenders are prosecuted,” she said.
In her remarks, Elayo made it clear that the ongoing clean-up efforts were aligned with the broader development agenda of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration, which places a premium on public infrastructure, urban renewal, and sustainable environmental practices.
“Governor Sule has laid down strong infrastructure legacies, and part of protecting those legacies is ensuring our environment remains clean and habitable. We cannot continue to build while others destroy,” she stressed.
Residents and stakeholders have welcomed the state’s new initiative. Community leaders in Lafia have long decried the surge in unauthorized waste disposal, especially in areas lacking proper waste bins and government-monitored pickup points. The declaration of a state of emergency, they believe, signals a turning point in how Nasarawa handles its sanitation challenges.
Local shop owner Ibrahim Musa, who operates in the Agwan Jaba area, said he supports the government’s action and hopes that enforcement will be consistent. “We’ve been complaining about this issue for years. When they clear the area, people return and dump rubbish again in just two days. It’s like they don’t care,” he said. “Now that the government has declared a state of emergency, we expect to see real action and penalties for those destroying our communities.”
Public health advocates have also thrown their support behind the government’s decision, calling for additional investment in sanitation infrastructure, especially in underserved parts of the state. Some have suggested the deployment of mobile waste collection units, better drainage systems, and community waste monitors to ensure lasting results.
Environmental watchdogs have lauded the move, with some calling on other states to emulate Nasarawa’s assertive stance. According to experts, improper waste disposal contributes to the spread of cholera, malaria, respiratory infections, and other diseases, especially during the rainy season when water contamination becomes a serious concern.
With this latest development, the Nasarawa State Government is sending a clear message: environmental negligence will no longer be tolerated. Through community engagement, infrastructure development, and firm enforcement, the state hopes to create a cleaner, safer, and more livable environment for all its citizens.
As the campaign progresses, the Ministry of Environment has encouraged residents to report illegal dump sites and cooperate with sanitation officials. “We all have a role to play,” Elayo concluded. “This is about protecting our families, our neighborhoods, and our future. Let’s work together to build a cleaner Nasarawa.”
