Environment
WASH: ‘Strong Political Will Needed To Achieve SDGs’
Campaigns Manager, Water Aid Nigeria, Partnership, Mr Saheed Mustafa, has called for strong political will from all stakeholders to meet the Sustainable Development Goals on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) by 2030.
Mustafa told newsmen in Abuja that the country failed to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) due to low priority and poor funding.
He said Nigeria must deliberately put up proper funding structure in place toward meeting these targets in the overall interest of improving the livelihood of the citizenry.
“Availability of special funding structure was instrumental in achieving results on the MDGs. In implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), innovative ways of getting funds for WASH programmes should be explored.
“There is the need for stakeholders’ ownership and participation, political will is necessary to meet these targets.
“Late commencement of the MDGs contributed to the inability to attain targets, Nigeria needs to begin putting structures in place to achieve SDGs early enough’’.
Mustafa said there was the need to address the weak coordination and policy framework between Government and other stakeholders, saying this would promote accountability and sustainability.
He commended SDGs 6, which saw an entire goal dedicated to WASH, adding that the goal also accorded special attention to women, children and the vulnerable.
According to him, the goal ensures availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030, as this is possible through innovative programmes for sanitation and Hygiene scale-up.
Mustafa said that the Federal Government’s inauguration of the Partnership for Extended Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) strategy and WASH policies was an effective tool toward meeting these needs.
He called for proper coordination and planning toward making the strategy the needed tool for improved Sanitation and hygiene scale up in the country.
The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Sulaiman Adamu, had said that the PEWASH programme was designed to be a national collaborative instrument among all stakeholders.
This, he said included government at all levels, development partners, and the private sector.
”It is intended to mobilise all stakeholders’ efforts and channel same toward common goals, targets and standards.
“The primary goal of the programme is to contribute to improvement in public health and eradication of poverty in Nigeria through the achievement of SDGs six, especially in rural areas where access to quality water and sanitation are grossly inadequate”.
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.
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