In other to have a greener and cleaner environment, the Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders gathered at Chika village in FCT to commemorate National Environmental Sanitation Day and to highlight sanitation and hygiene as veritable tools for disease prevention and control, also a weapon in reducing the adverse effect of climate change. HELEN OJI reports.
Collaboration
This annual commemoration, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with key stakeholders, serve as a national advocacy platform that highlights the importance of sanitation and hygiene as a veritable tool for disease prevention and control and an weapon in reducing the adverse effect of climate change.
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 and with the theme “Environmental Sanitation in the Era of Climate Change and the sub-theme Go Greener, Stay Clean, Climate Change is Real”.
Positive change
According to the Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the climate change results in extreme weather events that challenges good sanitation, poor sanitation creates the perfect conditions for the worsening of the adverse effects of climate change thus creating a vicious cycle of disease, poverty and underdevelopment.
He stated that the visit to Chika will transform the village into a model community for good environmental sanitation practices that can inspire positive changes in other communities.
Dr Salako urged all concerned to play their part and practically demonstrate the power of collaboration, cooperation and synergy in making communities clean, sanitised and safe.
He emphasised that the ministry will break the chain of transmission in the ongoing cholera outbreak across the country through household water chlorination in a risk communities and enhanced community led total sanitation campaign.
Personal hygiene
“Let’s Go Greener” therefore it is our call to action, a call to adopt eco-friendly practices that shrink our carbon footprint and safeguard natural resources for generations to come. This means embracing renewable energy, planting trees, and minimising waste.
“Stay Clean!” Should not just be a catchy phrase to us, but about respecting ourselves, our communities, and the environment we share.”
Dr Salako explained that it encompasses personal hygiene, maintaining clean homes and public spaces, and responsible waste disposal and it also highlights the importance of safe sanitation practices, ensuring waste management throughout the sanitation chain doesn’t pollute our environment.
“By embracing both “Go Greener” and “Stay Clean,” we can collectively build a healthier and more sustainable future for all, he added.
Dr Salako called on all sub-national governments, media organisation, private sector, development partners, “to champion sanitation and hygiene practices across the country; for children, families, communities, and all of us.”
Reduce emission, improve health
Also speaking, the representative of the WHO, Dr. Alexander Chimbaru, emphasized that as a country to promote actions that both reduce carbon emissions and improve health and support 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
Dr. Chimbaru said in the short- to medium-term, the health impacts of climate change will be determined mainly by the vulnerability of populations, their resilience to the current rate of climate change and the extent and pace of adaptation.
“In the longer- term, the effects will increasingly depend on the extent to which transformational action is taken now to reduce emissions and avoid the breaching of dangerous temperature thresholds and potential irreversible tipping points.”
The WHO representative stated that we should adopt environmentally friendly practices such as recycling, tree planting, reducing waste, supporting renewable energy sources will help the planet combat climate change.
“WHO also urge us to promote the development and maintenance of green spaces, such as parks and community gardens, which can help absorb carbon dioxide, reduce urban heat and improve air quality and promote mental health.
Proper waste management
Also speaking, Chief Istifanus Cheloza Shegaje, the Dakachi of Chika village, said that Chika village is committed to proper waste management and tree planting practices are not only essential to but also very critical in mitigating the effect of Climate Change in the land.
Chief Shegaje noted that they have succeeded in banning Okada and scavengers from the community.
He requested that the minister should provide the community with a compartment truck to enhance a proper waste disposal.
He assures the stakeholders of total evacuation of every single waste from the community, thereby leaving with a current model community for others to emulate.
Shegaje also solicit assistance for the Minister of FCT to help the community with the construction of concrete drainage and building of Asphalt roads within the community, so we can also enjoy the dividends of democracy and good governance.
He called on the community to commit themselves to sustainable environment friendly practices, reduce carbon footprint and conserve natural resources.
