Environment
Ministry Initiates Tracking Mechanism To Monitor Water, Sanitation Progress
The Federal Ministry
of Water Resources has said that it had introduced a tracking mechanism to monitor activities of the government and development agencies in the provision of water and sanitation.
The Director, Water Quality and Sanitation Control in the ministry, Mr Samuel Ome, said this at a Validation Workshop on the 2014 Global Analysis Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water in Abuja.
He said the initiative was necessary in view of the calls from stakeholders in the sector to synergise reports to arrive at accurate data for the sector.
“We have tried now to establish a mechanism to track what is being done in water supply and sanitation.
“We now have a branch on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Tracking and Documentation, to keep track of what we are doing.
“We are working with the ministry, Bureau of Statistics and all other agencies involved to achieve this.”
Ome noted that conflicting reports and the negative image of Nigeria internationally did not reflect the huge investments in the water and sanitation sector in the country.
He said that part of the tracking mechanism included annual stakeholder meetings to validate the sector and bring on board all the activities of different line agencies in all the zones.
Miss Tolani Busari, WaterAid Nigeria’s Head of Governance, in her goodwill message, also tasked the government to ensure improved water assess, to meet the MDGs and encourage Post-MDGs deliberations.
“While we are canvassing for water and sanitation to be a stand-alone goal, we should have an internal system to measure our achievements.
“Nigeria can change the shape of things, if we as a country and people advise our leaders on improved access,” she said.
In a remark, Mr Kannan Nadar, UNICEF’s Chief WASH Specialist, urged stakeholders to “paint the real picture of the water and sanitation situation in Nigeria”, to attract funding and interventions.
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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