Environment
Stakeholders Seek Legislation On Drainages Clean Up
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Taiye Haruna (left), and the Minister, Mrs Lawrencia Labaran-Mallam, during the minister’s assumption of duty in Abuja last Thursday. Photo: NAN
The Rivers State Gov
ernment has been urged to enact a legislation that will compel residents of Port Harcourt including business places to ensure regular clean up of drainages around their vicinities.
Across section of stakeholders who spoke with The Tide on the issue, said that the continuous blockage of drainages in the city has led to series of flooding in Port Harcourt and environs.
They particularly condemned the continuous blockages of gutters and drainages by some residents of the city particularly in Diobu, stressing that this situation has resulted to incessant flooding in the city.
A staff of the consultancy unit, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUSt) Port Harcourt Mr Wahua Nhebaka said that, a strong political will is needed to compel people to clean up their drainages as well as stop the dumping of refuse into drainages.
Mr Nhebaka said that those who refuse to comply should be prosecuted, stressing that this will go along way to check flooding across the city.
Also speaking, a staff of Port Harcourt City Educational Authority, Prince William Chinwo called for regular sanitation exercises to ensure cleanliness in the city.
Prince Chinwo also said that anyone found dumping refuse into gutters and drainages should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
Also speaking in an interview with The Tide at Mile lll a shop owner, Mrs Mercy Edet said that government needs to come to Mile lll to compel everyone to clean up the drainage in front of their stores, stressing that while some of them are trying their best to keep their drains clean, others are not doing anything about the ones in front of their stores.
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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