Environment
How Rivers Schools Use Water, Sanitation To Check Coronavirus
The spread of the corona virus pandemic to Rivers State early this year can be said to have dealt a serious blow to institutions especially the school system in the state.
Environmentally, some pupils and staff of some primary schools in the state may not be in a hurry to forget both the environmental and other challenges that impacted on them as a result of the closure of schools, due to the pandemic.
Sources had it that in some schools, premises were overgrown with weeds, some premises were converted to public toilets by some natives, while some were completely taken over by reptiles and other dangerous animals.
State school Chokola Igbo Etche in Etche Local Government Area was not left out of the harrowing experiences.
Head teacher of the school, Mrs Ukoha Sandra, in an exclusive interview said, the school pitch was converted to a public toilet by some of the natives.
She said the situation had continued, despite the fact that the school was in session.
“They come here in the night and defecate all over the place and we have constantly reported the matter to the community, and no serious attention is being paid to it.”
Sandra said the school needs fencing to keep off those who strayed into the area at night to defecate in its premises. She also said State School Chokota had no sanitation facilities such as water and toilet, adding that what the school had was only pit latrine which is unhygienic.
According to her, the pit latrine is being cleaned regularly with hypo bleach and klin detergent.
“We don’t have water sometimes, I give money from my pocket to buy water”, she said.
She stressed the need for the government and public spirited individuals to come to the aid of the school by providing water and sanitation facilities.
Sandra said the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a terrible blow to the school as the population of the school has been reduced.
According to her, the school which has a population of 600 pupils now has less than 400 as some parents say they will wait till January 2021 before bringing their children to school.
Sandra said however the school was complying fully with COVID-19 protocols as no pupil was allowed to enter class rooms without putting on face mask and washing hands with soap and water.
She also said pupils and staff were happy to be back to class.
Also speaking, a basic five teacher, Mr Nwangha Godspower Anugo, said the school needed fencing to keep off intruders.
Anugbo said the school had no toilet and water, facilities.
“We need water seriously, the place also needs fencing”. On the conversion of the school premises to a public toilet, he said the matter had been reported to the Chokota Community Development Committee (CDC) and the youth body but noting was being done about it.
Also, Mrs Eucheria Etukudoh, a basic III teacher said, pupils used hand sanitisers in the school while in her class, there was spacing of pupils.
Some pupils who spoke were The Tide said they were happy to be back, but government should do something about the problem of water and sanitation.
Some of the pupils which include, Blessing Mfon Archibong of basic I, Favour Joseph Uwem of Basic II and others said they were happy to be back to school.
Also, for Centop International School, Umuchoko, the management has provided water and sanitation facilities in the school. The proprietor of the school, Mr Onwu Innocent Bamidele, however said the school was yet to recover from the shock of the lockdown but stressed that hand washing was strictly observed in the school.
According to him, the school has eight handwashing points, four within and four outside, while children are subjected to regular temperature check before entry into the premises.
Bamidele said the school had excellent water and sanitation facilities.
Also speaking, a parent, Burn Ray Unyene, said the pandemic dealt terrible lows to families.
“It is not easy to keep a child in the house”, adding that parents are happy that schools have resumed.
He also said parents were happy that school environment was neat and tidy.
Some of the school children, who spoke said they were happy to be back to school.
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.
-
News3 days agoSoldier, Police Officer Killed As Army Rescues Nine Abductees In Zamfara
-
News3 days agoFubara Reaffirms Commitment To Creating Conducive Environment For Business Growth …Commissions Paint Manufacturing Plant
-
Sports3 days agoFifa Scraps Controversial World Cup in Plan
-
News3 days agoPH NBA Election: Committee Uncovers Over 500 Padded Names On Voters’ Register
-
Business3 days agoFG Grants Customs Duty, VAT Exemptions On Imported Electric, Gas Vehicles
-
Business3 days agoVet Doctors Vow Support To Check Rabies Spread In Rivers
-
Sports3 days ago
INEC Seeks Media Partnership, Declares Readiness For Osun Guber Poll
-
Politics3 days ago
COUNCIL BOSS RECEIVES RETURNING STAKEHOLDERS TO RAINBOW COALITION IN RIVERS LGA