By Aminu Harsanu Guyaba
Residents of Dutsen Tanshi area in Bauchi City have called on the state government to provide new waste disposal site in the area as the existing one portends health and environmental hazard to the people.
Dutsen Tanshi, a densely populated area in Bauchi metropolis, has waste disposal crisis as the current overflowing refuse site continues to pollute the area, creating hazardous conditions for residents, including children attending nearby Dutsen Tanshi Primary School.
Haruna Danladi Isah, a local resident, described the severe challenges posed by the current dumping site. “This place is disturbing us. The smell is unbearable when garbage trucks finally arrive, and the waste often spills into the road, making it difficult for cars to pass and leading to frequent accidents. The refuse occupies almost half of the lane,” he explained.
Isah said residents of the area had requested the State government to provide a standard place which can be used to dump the refuse but they are yet to see the outcome of their request.
“I am calling on the State government to buy another place for us, some have even suggested that since the place is very close to Dutsen Tanshi primary school, some part of the school should be used to dump the refuse”.
The situation has left residents exposed to significant health risks. Abdulsalam Abubakar, known locally as “Goje,” voiced his discontent, noting that the area’s waste pile contains hazardous items, including hospital waste, which heightens the risk of disease outbreaks. “Every day, we see children playing around here, and the number of accidents has risen. This issue is disturbing us, which is why we are appealing for a better solution,” he said.
According to Abubakar, the waste is often left uncollected for up to three weeks, piling up to the point where it occupies public walkways and creates a breeding ground for diseases such as cholera.
“We’re pleading with the government to protect us from this threat to our health and safety,” he added.
With the refuse site positioned close to Dutsen Tanshi Primary School, parents and educators are growing concerned about the potential impact on students’ health. The trash heap, coupled with the rainy season, has worsened hygiene conditions, and the proximity to classrooms raises fears of disease outbreaks.
As cholera cases rise in other areas, the residents of Dutsen Tanshi urge the Bauchi State government to address their appeal urgently by relocating the dumping site to prevent a public health crisis.
