Environment
Sanitation, Hygiene: Group Urges Collective Effort
Advocacy and Partnership Manager, Water Aid Nigeria, Mr Saheed Mustafa, says scaling up sanitation and hygiene in the country requires the collective effort of all stakeholders in the sector.
Mustafa told newsmen in Abuja that the Federal Government alone cannot provide basic sanitation needs for its citizens.
According to him, scaling up sanitation and hygiene in the country requires big investments, adding that there is the need for the country to have a pool of resources for meeting this target.
“We also know that there is no way the government can do it alone, so individually and as a people, sanitation is our responsibility as human beings”, he said.
He said that no responsible that live out money to people to wash their hands and called on all Nigerians to learn to keep their environment clean.
“For me, that should be the norm, the attitude and behaviour of Nigerians, it should not be as a result of Ebola.
“Now, if you go to hotels, schools and all of that, you hardly see those facilities for hand washing that we used to see during the Ebola crises, and that is worrisome”.
The Partnership Manager said the organisation recently inaugurated a five-year strategy toward the strengthening of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene ( WASH) sector in coordination and better investments.
Mustafa stressed the urgency for more persons to get involved in the WASH sector.
He explained that when people were involved, the needs and overall goal of hygiene promotion and access to water would be achieved .
While commending the Sustainable Development Goal 6, which saw an entire goal dedicated to WASH, he added that the goal also gave special attention to women, children and the defenceless.
He said that the goal ensured availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Commending the Federal Government’s Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) Programme, Mustafa said there was the need for a similar programme for the urban and small towns.
He also called for purposeful investments in water facilities, toward improving water availability for Nigerians especially for the rural poor.
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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