Nigerian Government Tasks State, LG On Sanitation Campaign

The Nigerian Government has called on all States and Local governments as well as other stakeholders in the environmental sector to step up their sanitation and hygiene campaigns across the country.

This would help as an effective means of controlling and preventing disease transmission in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Yusufu stated this at the commemoration of the National Environmental Sanitation Day, NESD, held in Abuja the nation’s capital.

“The National Environmental Sanitation Day Commemoration was declared by Mr. President in 2005 at the launch of the National Environmental Sanitation Policy document and requires the day to be commemorated on 28th June annually.

“Since then, the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with stakeholders has been celebrating the day to mark the importance of sanitation and hygiene as a veritable tool for disease prevention and control.

The 2023 edition is being commemorated today 13th July, 2023 because of the sallah day that fell on 28 June, 2023.

The importance and benefit of creating awareness, behavioural change and institutionalization of sanitation and hygiene practices among the citizens are our drivers in implementing this programme at this time,” he said.

He therefore urge governments at all levels, media organisations, Development Partners to join the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders in propagating sanitation and hygiene practices to the public, children, families, communities and associations.

“I wish to reiterate that environmental sanitation is imperative for socio- economic development. It’s impact on all the Sustainable Development Goals cannot be overemphasised most especially SDG Goal 6-Improved Access to Clean Water and Sanitation. The proportion of people without sustainable access to basic sanitation in the recent analysis reveals that less than half of the Nigerian population has access to improved sanitation facilities. In addition, many of our city centres, communities and households still battle with the problems of waste management,” he said.

Collaboration

He further stressed that the Ministry in collaboration with Breakthrough Action Nigeria will continue with similar community sanitation, sensitization and cleaning exercise programmes in Benue and Bauchi States, the 36 states and the remaining 6 Area Councils of FCT are also celebrating NESD today 12th July 2023.

Open Dumping

The Permanent Secretary also noted that Sanitation and hygiene was one of the measures to reduce the country’s disease burden and ensure a Sustainable Waste Management for a healthy environment and to also stop open dumping.

He said to ensure a Sustainable Waste Management for a healthy environment citzens must stop open dumping.

He further stressed that the government over the years have been making significance effort in promoting Clean and healthy Environment in the country.

The Director Pollution Control in the Ministry, Mr Charles Ikeah said that the open dumping of waste has long been a detrimental practice that not only pollutes the environment but also poses serious health hazards to communities.

He noted that the consequences of open dumping are affecting not only the present but also future generations, a problem that demands immediate attention and concerted efforts.

“I am truly inspired by the collective enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by everyone present here today. It is through the collaboration and combined efforts of all stakeholders that we can achieve meaningful change. By sharing our knowledge, expertise, and resources, we can forge innovative solutions that will address the challenges of open dumping and lead us towards,’’ He said.

Policies And Guidelines

The Registrar, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria, EHORECON, Dr Baba Yakubu, said with the number of policies and guidelines put out by the Federal Ministry of Environment if implemented by the state and local governments, it will address more than 95% of diseases that are ravaging the country.

He also said that the Council would continue to work with all the development partners, the Department of pollution control of the Ministry of environment to address the issue of emerging sanitation related diseases.

“The issue of sanitation is very critical, it is our belief that with the number of policies and guidelines put out by the Federal Ministry of Environment if religiously implemented by the state and local governments, we are going to address more than 95% of diseases that are ravaging our community, this year theme sustainable, solid waste management stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse is very apt because it’s in line with the global warning because when you look at Nigeria, as one of the most populous black nation, we need to provide leadership, it is the belief of the Ministry of Environment that the sustainable Waste Management Framework will be able to provide necessary enabling environment with job creation, ’’ he explained.

Helping Children

Head of WASH, UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Jane Baver, said that UNICEF would  not relent in its efforts in helping children.

She said children are the most affected when it come to personal hygiene.

“All issues that affect children, particularly are from the environment, and I think it’s very difficult to talk about the environment without talking about climate and climate change, the world is getting much hotter. We’re having much more extreme weather events, climate events, like more flooding. We have the worst flooding we’ve had for a long time in Nigeria last year, and the worst drought, water table, deforestation all of these issues, they really affect us,’’ she stated.

She urged the government to work towards improving the environment because it means so much for the future of the Nigerian child.

“UNICEF recently did a study of the impact of climate risks on children and it was found that at the top 10 worst offenders and worst impacted countries, were all in Africa, and Nigeria comes second worst on that list, so it’s a really serious issue. I really commend everybody for coming together today to talk about Environmental sanitation. It’s a very important issue. We need to all do our own bit what we can recycle, reuse. Don’t throw away plastics in the street,” she explained.

World Health Organisation, WHO country Representatives, Dr Alexander Chimbaru said that waste management was a global issue that poses a threat to public health and development with increasing population.

He also noted that having a sustainable waste management system requires a collective effort in helping the government achieving SDG three and six as well as promoting antimicrobial resistance strategy.

Dr Chimbaru also reiterated the WHO’s commitment in supporting the government needs in the areas of sustainability.

“In Nigeria few percent of the national burden of disease is attributed to environmental determinants of health with only point 40% of the population having access to basic sanitation services, and 48 million people practising open defecation. These challenges are further compounded within indiscriminate dumping of solid and liquid waste in cities and communities. The agenda can make a huge difference, mobilise communities, so that health facilities, schools and service providers to find funding and financing mechanisms to build resilient, sustainable waste management services make better use of scarce resources,” he added.

This year’s National Environmental Sanitation Day, theme is “Promoting sustainable waste management for a healthy environment: stop open dumping”.

 

Confidence Okwuchi