Environment
Body Embarks On Waste Management, Sanitation Advocacy
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) says it has embarked on waste management and sanitation advocacy campaign activities in six markets in Ijebu North Local Government Area, Ogun State.
Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano, the Director-General of NCF said this in a statement in Abuja.
NCF is one of the foremost environmental NGOs in Nigeria dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development.
Aminu-Kano said that NCF received for the second time, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation grant to advocate for actions that promote proper waste separation, sorting, management and disposal in selected markets of Ijebu North LGA, Ogun State.
“This is geared towards making our environment sustainable and habitable for future generations.
“As part of the objective of the project, titled: Improving Community-Market Sustainability in Waste Management in Ijebu North LGA, Ogun State, it hopes to reduce the threat and health risks posed by dirty environments while empowering the beneficiaries to take responsibility for proper sanitation in the markets.”
He said that the six selected markets are Obada Station I & II, Ojowo Atikori, Awa, Mamu, Oru/Awa, and Ago-Iwoye.
“The project is being carried out over a period of 12 months and it commenced in September 2018.
“It has been divided into five major phases: Market Entry; Market Sensitisation; Clean up Exercise; Monitoring & Evaluation; and Post Project Supervision.
“We carried out sensitisation and clean up exercises at Obada Station market and Ojowo-Atikori market, where market women and men trouped out in their hundreds to participate.”
He said that the project would also provide modern waste bins for each market at stall level which would aid proper disposal of waste generated in the market.
“Before the intervention of this project, the markets did not have such waste management facility characterising the market place with heaps of waste dumps sighted across the market.
“It will also build capacity of Health and Sanitation Officers in Ijebu North LGA to further smoothen the relationship of the officers and market traders toward better sanitation in the area.
Mr Rufus Ayebusuwa, the Director, Environmental Sanitation, Ijebu North LGA advised the market traders on the importance of sanitation to human wellbeing particularly in eradicating infection and disease.
Mr Solomon Adefolu of NCF advised the market traders on the need to inculcate a proper waste management culture, especially in waste sorting and disposal.
He further assured the market of NCF’s support in delivering an efficient waste disposal mechanism by working with all stakeholders.
Chief Mudashiru Adebola, the Baba Loja of Obada Station Market thanked NCF for bringing such initiative to the market to compliment the effort of the government in ensuring clean environment.
He also led the people in the clean-up exercise across the market stalls which lasted for over 60 minutes.
NCF has successfully implemented a similar waste management advocacy campaign in 17 communities of Eti-Osa LGA in Lagos in 2017/2018, where large to medium size outdoor waste bins were provided for the communities to improve their waste disposal system.
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.