By Bello Alhaji Buba
Monday Market is one of the biggest markets in northern Nigeria, where people from various destinations come to purchase or sell their products.
However, the Monday market new bridge was polluted with open defecation by different individuals which is very hazardous because it may cause disease outbreaks in the populated market.
The worst part is that it is very close to food item sellers, and it’s the same river Anguwan Doki, that passed beside BR TV, Sanda Kyarimi Zoo, then Maduganari; that how the river connects different areas, which easily causes fatal diseases outbreak in these communities.
Also, open defecation leads to water pollution and air pollution. Polluted water will easily spread diseases to different people. Likewise, polluted air is much more speedy than water because the diseases carried by it are easily contaminated in society.
People of that area should take the necessary action to fight against this nasty behaviour, because they are the people living in that location, so they will be the first victims of any diseases that open defecation will cause in that spot.
I therefore call on the attention of the commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Terima Saleh, to put more effort into ensuring the environment is safe from pollution by open defecation.
Finally, his Excellency Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, should take action against this attitude of open defecation by instructing the Civilian JTF patrolling near that area to take care of the area or fence the place entirely.
Another solution towards mitigating emerging environmental disaster is the for operating companies at that area to provide toilets for workers as well as create spaces for individuals to build commercial toilets in such areas so that this issue will be addressed properly in due time.
Bello Alhaji Buba,
Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri, belloalhajibuba23@gmail.com
