Environment
WASH:Envoy Seeks First Lady Support For Sanitation
Nigeria’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) ambassador, Ms Ebele Okeke has appealed to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to support the ongoing advocacy and campaign for improved sanitation in the country.
Okeke, a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Kigali at the just concluded Africa Sanitation Conference (AfricaSan 3).
She said that plans were under way, in collaboration with the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), to pay a courtesy visit to the first lady, to request for her assistance in their advocacy work.
She said efforts would be made to attract the assistance of the wives of governors and members of the National Assembly.
“We intend to pay a courtesy visit to the first lady. It is important to get the first lady and the wives of governors involved. They might not bring the money, but they can at least help us in the advocacy and they will get nearer their husbands.”
“When we carry the first ladies, we will also carry the wives of members of the National Assembly and once we get them to start talking about sanitation in their homes, their husbands and their wives will think about it and more allocation of funds will come into the sector”. The ambassador said that the NTGS, comprising representatives of ministries of Water Resources, Environment, Education, Health, Women Affairs, Information and Communications were working hard to harmonise the various sanitation policies to have a National Sanitation Policy.
She noted that having a single policy would enable the country to move forward in order to achieve the MDG on sanitation. “Normally, each ministry will like to have its own enclave, but if we want to move forward, each ministry can do what it wants to do but let us have one focus, one sanitation policy, so that everyone can feed from that policy.”
“Once we harmonise the documents, then we will be able to determine what we should focus on.”
“I want everyone to think sanitation, because sanitation is so basic to our lives.”
Okeke explained that her role as WASH ambassador entailed advocacy to the decision makers, the private sector and the people in general, to attract government’s attention and increased funding to the sector.
“The idea is to get the government to focus on sanitation and put in some more money and also to make the private sector to know that they can make money out of shit.’’ Commenting on the recent flooding in Lagos, Okeke blamed it on blocked drains.
She, therefore, underscored the importance of re-introducing sanitary inspectors, especially in crowded cities such as Lagos to ensure a clean environment.
“I believe, personally, that government should appoint sanitary inspectors, especially in crowded cities such as Lagos.
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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