Environment
Minister Inaugurates FCT Sanitation Task Group
The Minister of State
for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, has inaugurated the FCT Sanitation Task Group, which will implement the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.
The 17- man committee is to serve as a co-ordinating platform for the programme.
Akinjide, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Mrs Jumai Kwanashie, said the FCT was experiencing WASH challenges in communities, schools and public places.
“This has led to health challenges and economic losses,’’ the minister said.
While describing the present sanitary conditions in the territory as unacceptable, Akinjide observed that local communities in the territory lacked potable water, safe sanitation and proper hygiene education.
“This group shall analyse and promote policies, programmes and projects which will specifically trigger the implementation of community and school-led total sanitation.
“We expect that this group will work with relevant stakeholders in the FCT and nationally to ensure the achievement of Goal Seven of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The goal is ‘Ensuring Environmental Sustainability’.’’
The minister expressed the hope that advocacy could ameliorate the global crisis, pointing out that over 2.6 billion people lack access to basic latrine facilities.
She said nearly 900 million people were in search of good drinking water on a daily basis because they lacked access to potable water.
“The impact of using basic sanitation, safe drinking water, and improved hygiene practices extends beyond the convenience of simply having facilities.
“WASH services make a major difference, particularly in health, education and socio-economic development.
“They prevent diseases and save lives, against the background of the fact that 5,000 children die daily due to infectious diarrhoea, which is caused primarily by poor sanitation and hygiene,’’ Akinjide said.
The minister said the sanitation task group was mandated to develop a stand-alone FCT Water Sanitation Policy and its implementation guidelines.
She said it would also raise awareness on water sanitation and hygiene, co-ordinate sanitation delivery at FCT level, monitor programme implementation and advocate for effective sanitation delivery in the territory.
Responding, the Chairman of the Task Group, Mr Tukur Bakori, who is the Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA), pledged the group’s determination to deliver on the task ahead.
Our crespodnent recalls that the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) was inaugurated in May 2002 by the Ministry of Water Resources to serve as the national coalition group on sanitation. It focuses only on the aspect of sanitation dealing with the management of human excreta and domestic waste water.
Executive Secretary, Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Arab Rukuje (right), with the Head, Department of Education and Social Development, Billiri Local Government Area, Malam Ibrahim Puma, presenting relief materials to victims of windstorm in Gombe State recently. Photo: NAN.
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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