Sub-national governments, media organizations, private sector and development partners have been urged to join in championing sanitation and hygiene practices across the country.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Environment Dr Iziaq Salako stated this at the commemoration of 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day held in Chika a suburb community in Abuja the nation’s capital with theme ‘Environmental sanitation in the Era of Climate Change, Go Green, Stay Clean Climate Change is Real.’
Dr Salako says the 2024 commemoration day serves as a national advocacy platform to highlights the importance of sanitation and hygiene as a veritable tool for disease prevention and control.
‘Our presence here today is to underscore our agenda to transform Chika into a model community for good environmental sanitation practices that can inspire positive changes in other communities.
This is a vision that will require maximum participation of all stakeholders including the residents, community leadership, local governmen
t authorities, NGOs, CSOs, agencies of FCDA and the line ministries of the federal government.
I therefore urge all concerned to play their part and practically demonstrate the power of collaboration, cooperation and synergy in making our communities clean, sanitary and safe.’ The Minister explained.
He said the event also underscore the commitment of the Ministry to break the chain of transmission in the ongoing cholera outbreak in the country through household water chlorination in risk communities and enhanced community sanitation campaign.
‘The commemoration offers the opportunity to increase awareness and the understanding of the importance of sanitation and hygiene as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases, save lives and progress towards the achievement of 2 important Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 viz: SDG3 -Good Health and Well-being and SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation by 2030.’ He spoke.
Representative of WHO, Dr Alexander Chimbaru, calls for aggressive adoption of environmen
tal hygiene practices and WASH measures in all communities across Nigeria to urgently prevent the ongoing spread of cholera in the country.
‘It is high time as a country to Promote actions that both reduce carbon emissions and improve health, supporting a rapid and equitable transition to a clean energy economy, ensuring that health is central to climate change mitigation policy accelerating mitigation actions that bring the greatest health gains.’ He spoke.
He said the event would help to reduce communicable disease such as cholera affecting some states in the country.
Representative Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Dr Obinna Onuoha says adopting greener practices and maintaining cleanliness, would help citizens mitigate environmental risks and hazards, and improve the health and well-being of the communities.
‘Today, we urge everyone to take active steps in their daily lives to promote sanitation and responsible management of our environmental resources. Simple actions, such as reducing the generation of wa
ste, reusing everyday items and recycling our waste, can significantly impact our environment.’ He stated.
The Village head of Chika Community Chief Istifanus Shegaje said the choice of Chika Village is a step in a right direction, of the country’s collective responsibility to protect and preserve the planet resources for future generations.
He reiterated Chika Village commitment to proper waste management and Tree planting practices in mitigating the effect of Climate Change in Nigeria.
‘Together we can make a difference and ensure a safer, greener and Healthier lifestyle both for the present and posterity. without mixing we also grateful to the Federal Ministry of Environment and Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for their continuous unwavering support, since year 2020 that we have actively engaged ourselves in Community Environmental works with the re-introduction of the Chika end of the month, monthly Sanitation Day in our Community.’ He spoke.
He also solicits the assistance of the Minister
of the FCT to help Chika Village with the Construction of Concrete Drainages and building of Asphalt Road’s within the community.
‘I would like to make good use of this opportunity to kindly request the Honorable Minister of Environment’s assistance in providing the Chika Community with A COMPARTMENT TRUCK to enhance our community effort in proper Waste Disposal.’
‘We have succeeded in the total banning of Okada operators and scavengers from our community, you have my best assurance that in the long run we shall also succeed in the total evacuation off every single waste from our beloved community thereby leaving you with a current model community for others to emulate.’ He explained.
Reacting to the appeal the Minister promised and assured the community that necessary action would be taken to ensure their demands are met.
The event also witnesses the presentation of awards to the winners of the ‘2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day Junior Secondary School Quiz Competition’.
The National Environmen
tal Sanitation Day is commemorated on June 28th of every year as declared by President Olusegun Obasanjo in June 2005 at the launch of the National Environmental Sanitation Policy document.
This annual commemoration, spear headed by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Source: Voice of Nigeria