By People& Politics
The National Environmental Sanitation Policy will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council for endorsement. Our correspondent reports that the policy was developed by the ministry in 2005.
Environment Minister Iziaq Salako stated this during the commemoration of the National Environmental Sanitation Day. He said the policy, which is still under review, prioritizes safe sanitation practices, promoting a cleaner and healthier environment for all.
Salako said as part of the activities to mark the Environmental Sanitation Day, the government would transform Chika, a community in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), into a model community for good environmental sanitation practices.
The transformation of the community was aimed at inspiring positive changes in other communities, he said, adding that the vision would require maximum participation of all stakeholders, including the residents, community leadership and local government authorities.
He said, “Environmental sanitation in the era of climate change and the sub-theme ‘Go greener, stay clean, climate change is real’ is apt considering the devastating impacts of climate change on planet and the current resurgence of cholera being experienced in the country as in several other parts of the world.
“The combination of climate change and poor sanitation without doubt poses a double jeopardy to the health of our planet and all creatures on it. While 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.
“This combination is standing squarely in the way of achieving many of the sustainable development goals.”
He said the ongoing cholera outbreak in the country is a reminder that if people fail to prioritize proper environmental sanitation, they leave their food and water vulnerable to contamination, their public health jeopardized, and productivity reduced.
He however said that the federal government, through the Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders, would continue to deploy innovative policies and interventions to safeguard Nigerians from challenges posed by climate change and poor sanitation.
