Environment
Expert Cautions Against Candle Lighting In Harmattan
A consultant with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Isaac Nwabara, has warned people against lighting candles in their homes during harmattan season.
Nwabara gave the warning in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Abuja recently.
He said that lighting of candles at this time of the year could result in inferno with damaging effects on the environment in general.
Nwabara urged people to instead use rechargeable lamps whenever power outage occurred to avoid fire disaster, a common phenomenon during the harmattan season.
“Although harmattan is a natural hazard that every man needs to contend with, there must be ways to manage the weather by adopting some personal and collective measures to stay healthy.’’
He stressed the need for people to always keep their skin healthy through the application of oily creams and by putting on weather friendly clothes.
“This is the period that people should put on more of suits, flowing gowns, and cardigans.
“The homes should be kept warm by closing doors and windows to prevent dust from entering the house.
“Proper eye hygiene in form of washing that part of the body with water, and putting on of protective spectacles are necessary,’’ he further advised.
Nwabara said that the need for proper eye care became necessary because “eyes are directly exposed to the harsh weather, especially the dust particles carried by the wind.’’
He called on the people suffering from lower respiratory diseases to take measures to reduce exposure to dusty atmosphere to avoid health hazards.
The consultant called for individual and group to ensure that the society derived maximum benefit from clean and healthy environment.
He urged individuals to eschew blocking drainages, especially during rainy season to avoid flood among other environmental challenges.
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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