Environment
EU Contributes N9bn To Health, Water Projects
The European Union (EU), through UNICEF, has contributed N9 billion toward the execution of health, water and sanitation projects in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Modestus Chukwulaka of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the European Union (EU) and UNICEF have signed a five-year contribution agreement for Rural Water and Sanitation Project in Plateau, Ekiti and Adamawa States.
It stated that the contribution agreement was worth 14.75 million euros (N3 billion) and a four-year contribution worth 30 million euros (N6.75 billion) to improve maternal, newborn and child health in Kebbi and Adamawa States.
The statement indicated that the contribution was a follow up to the financing agreements signed by the Federal Government and the European Union, to strengthen development partnership on April 30, 2013.
On water supply, it noted that the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Project, Phase III (WSSSRP III) was implemented by UNICEF.
The reform project was established to strengthen the capacity of Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) sector in the frontline states and support sector governance on improved access to sustainable water and hygiene services.
The statement further stated that the overall objective of the health project was to significantly improve the health status of women and children through improved sustainable primary health care delivery system in Kebbi and Adamawa states.
According to the statement, Nigeria contributes about 10 per cent of global burden of maternal deaths as 75 pregnant women and 2,100 Children under the age of five die every day from easily preventable diseases.
“Main causes of deaths for children under the age of five are new-born diseases, malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea. Nigeria contributes about 10 per cent of global burden of maternal deaths.
“Under-nutrition and malnutrition are major causes of childhood morbidity. It is estimated that 24 per cent of children under five years are underweight and 36 per cent of children are estimated to be stunted”.
Quoting the 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey report, the statement said that over 118 million Nigerians lacked access to improved sanitation while another 70 million inhabitants did not have access to safe water.
It stated that in Sub-Saharan Africa, one out of five people who use unimproved sanitation facility lives in Nigeria, while the level of non-functioning water supply systems in the rural areas was estimated to be about 40 per cent in some states.
“For the water and sanitation project, the EU support will cover 70 per cent of the total investment cost for construction or rehabilitation of water supply facilities.
“The states, local governments and the beneficiary communities will provide 30 per cent of the cost in line with the National Policy on Water Supply and Sanitation.”
The statement also quoted the UNICEF Country Representative, Dr Suomi Sakai, as saying that ”these projects in health, water and sanitation will significantly enhance Nigeria’s chances of meeting the water, sanitation and health-related MDGs”.
She said that the European Union and UNICEF were committed to helping Nigeria revitalise water, sanitation and hygiene services in Nigeria.
On his part, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Mr Pierre Philippe, said that the union was investing about 200 million euros (about N40 billion) in the country’s water and sanitation sector for the period 2012 to 2017.
He explained that the amount represented the largest EU investment in the sector outside Europe and pledged the continued support of the EU in the fight against poverty and maintenance of peace in Nigeria.
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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