A health sector and environmental health expert, Sir Napoleon Ewule, has called for the establishment of Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency by the Rivers State Government.
Sir Ewule, retired Director in the Rivers State Ministry of Health, said the call became necessary because of the degenerating environment.
He said it will also address waste management issues and the aesthetic look of the environment, promote health education, create job opportunities and reduce the burden from the hospitals.
Sir Ewule in an interview with newsmen said sanitation deserves to take the centrestage, saying integrated health management can create wealth, Jobs and increase the revenue profile of the State.
He said currently what the state government is doing is transfer of waste and not waste management, saying what is being transfered is supposed to be properly harnessed.
The Chairman of Centenary College of Health Science and Technology urged the government to focus on preventing diseases and protecting the environment as it is done in civilised societies.
“The essence of good environment and health cannot be over-emphasised. Sanitation in the State should be taken seriously as if overlooked, it can frustrate other activities. In achieving this, the governor should appoint professionals. Let him look inward in his appointment. Experts should be appointed in issues that have to do with health and environment.
Professionals in environment and health will give you excellent performance. It is time to do it right as expectations are high. If Governor Fubara gets it right by assigning duties to professionals, people shall be happy and he will expect the best.”
He urged the government to assist private health and environmental initiatives.
Sir Ewule said it is unfortunate that Centenary College of Health Science and Technology in Emohua remains the only private owned in the South-South zone.
He said in other regions especially the South West and the North there are so many health and environmental colleges.
Most of the colleges are being assisted by the government which had enabled them to thrive.
He said this informed his decision to run the Centenary College of Health Science and Technology by assisting government to train qualified health and environmental experts.
He noted that his college also runs an entrepreneurship centre where students are engaged in skills aside the professional certificates.
“Government should extend hands to private health and environmental sectors like ours. We are in need of government support. It has not been easy managing the college .Ours remains the only private-owned college and accredited in the whole of South South region. So government of Rivers State should assist us .We are helping in creating professional job opportunities and skills for the good of the society. The challenges have been enormous in terms of power supply, infrastructure, laboratory equipment, access road, learning instruments.”
He commended the present administration in the State and urged everyone to support the development strides of Governor Fubara.