Environment
UNICEF Pledges Access To Sanitation, Water By 2017
The United Nations
Children Fund (UNICEF) says it is committed to ensuring that vulnerable children and their families have equitable access to sustainable water and sanitation facilities by 2017 in Rivers State.
Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Rivers State, Mr Wilbroad Ngambi said this at the inaugural Media Networking Meeting of UNICEF and Partners for Improved Reportage of WASH Programming Results in Rivers State.
Mr. Ngambi also said that UNICEF is prepared to work with all stakeholders including the media to inculate good hygiene practices among children, their care-givers and teachers to learn and adopt hygiene practices in the state.
According to him, the organization is also collaborating with government at all levels to set standards for water and sanitation systems and supplies and supports them with innovative approaches.
“UNICEF as you all know, collaborates with government at all levels to set standards for water and sanitation system and supplies, and supports them with innovative approaches such as Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) a non-subsidy approach to promoting improved household sanitation (such as latrines).
The chief field officer also said that UNICEF will help to build the capacities of water authorities to improve provision and management of water facilities (boreholes and protected hand dug wells depending on geology of the area) to schools and rural communities”.
He also said that “one of UNICEF’s priorities is to encourage governments to expand these systems so that more Nigerians have access to sanitation and safe water.
“At the same time, UNICEF works with all stakeholders including the media to inculcate good hygiene practices among children, their care-giver and teachers to learn and adapt hygiene practices.”
He however observed that “with so many successes achieved so far in the areas of hygiene improvement, access to safe water, there are still gaps remaining to be closed especially in the areas of timely and accurate reportage of these milestones and sensitisation of the public on the availability of these services and the need to utilise them.
Ngambi also pointed out some key issues that UNICEF is interested in working with the government to address, some of these, according to him, are; improved water supply, improved access to sanitation facilities and schools gaining access to water and sanitation.
The others include, village level operation and maintaince of motorised schemes to promote sustainable water supply, addressing open defecation as well as promoting behavioural change for sustained sanitation practices.
He said that, UNICEF is pleased with the laudable initiative of having a media networking system which aims at reporting contributions from all stakeholders towards improving the living standards of people and especially children whom we must help to realize their rights to survival and development.
Ngambi described the media as an integral and UNICEF’s strong allies with the capacity to advocate for increased policy commitment to help children’s development.
“I therefore congratulate each and everyone of you and at the same time urge you all to see this as a rare opportunity to contribute in delivering results for children in Rivers State using WASH as a springboard”, he said.
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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