Peace Point Development Foundation, PPDF, has called on the governments of Cross River and Akwa Ibom States to take urgent and decisive action to address the growing challenge of food waste, as the world marks the International Day of Zero Waste.
A release signed by the Coordinator Peace Point Development Foundation, Umo Isuaikoh indicates that this year’s theme, which spotlights food waste and inefficiencies across the food system, highlights critical gaps from production and distribution to storage and consumption which are gaps that are increasingly evident in local markets across the two states.
To mark the day, PPDF joined other CSOs including Civil Society Coalition for Environmental Justice and Forest Conservation and the Office of the SSA to the Governor of Cross River State on Environment the carried out a clean-up exercise at Watt Market and Marian Market in Calabar, reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible waste management. The Foundation noted that both markets remain major hotspots for food waste, where large quantities of organic waste are disposed of indiscriminately on a daily basis.
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Similarly, in Akwa Ibom State, Akpan Ndem Market, Itam Market, and Ikot Ambang Market have been identified as areas with persistently high levels of food waste, reflecting systemic inefficiencies and poor waste handling practices.
“Food waste has become a common sight in our markets, and this is not just an environmental concern, it is a reflection of deeper inefficiencies within our food systems,” said Umo Isuaikoh, Coordinator of Peace Point Development Foundation. “At a time when many households still struggle with food access, the scale of waste we see daily is unacceptable.”
PPDF emphasized that one of the most critical steps toward addressing this challenge is the adoption of source segregation of waste. The Foundation stressed that mixing all forms of waste in a single receptacle undermines the potential for recycling and recovery.
“When food waste is separated at the source, it can be transformed into valuable resources such as organic manure and biogas,” Mr Isuaikoh stated. “However, when it is dumped together with other waste, it decomposes improperly and releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change.”
The Foundation warned that the continued failure to properly manage food waste not only contributes to environmental pollution but also worsens climate risks, public health concerns, and economic losses.
PPDF called for Immediate implementation of waste segregation policies in markets and urban centres, investment in composting and biogas technologies to harness organic waste, strengthened public awareness campaigns targeting traders, transporters, and consumers and improved infrastructure for food storage and preservation to reduce post-harvest losses.
Peace Point Development Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders across Cross River and Akwa Ibom States to promote sustainable waste practices and build a more efficient, climate-resilient food system.
