Environment
Lagos Presents Policy On Medical Wastes
The Lagos State Govern
ment has presented a draft policy for Healthcare Waste Management to regulate and inculcate best practices on all frontiers.
According to a press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the State Ministry of Environment, Mr Mukaila Sanusi, in Lagos, the draft policy was presented at the ongoing 8th Lagos Healthcare Waste Management Summit in Lagos. Sanusi stated that the policy was part of the communiqué agreed upon at the 2013 summit.
According to the statement, the Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, affirmed that the draft policy was in line with the state policy on environmental sustainability.
He, therefore, urged all Lagosians to comply with the new policy.
“I wish to reassure all of us of the continuous government reward packages for all those who imbibe change in healthcare waste management,’’ Bello was quoted as saying in the statement.
According to the commissioner, the draft policy was one of the government’s efforts towards healthcare waste management.
He listed the efforts to include government’s willingness to partner with private investors to manage, on build and transfer basis, the healthcare waste treatment facilities across the state.
Bello recalled that the state government had constructed three transfer loading stations (TLS).
The third station, he said, was ready for management concession through the public private partnership (PPP) arrangement.
He also said that the government was using the annual summit to inform, educate, sensitise and make resolutions on positive actions to address issues of healthcare waste.
“I wish to reiterate the government’s support for the sustainability of this programme through regular distribution of consumables at no cost to healthcare facilities.“As at today, we have distributed 26,000 red bins liners, 26,000 yellow bin liners, 26,000 brown bin liners and 3, 650 sharps safety boxes monthly.
“These are in efforts to promote on-source waste segregation, which have yielded 80 per cent compliance,’’ he added.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
-
Niger Delta3 days agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Sports3 days agoSimba open Nwabali talks
-
Nation3 days agoHoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Stakeholders Task INC Aspirants On Dev … As ELECO Promises Transparent, Credible Polls
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River
-
News5 days agoDon Lauds RSG, NECA On Job Fair
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNUPRC Unveils Three-pillar Transformative Vision, Pledges Efficiency, Partnership
-
Rivers3 days ago
Fubara Restates Continued Support For NYSC In Rivers