ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Enugu State Government has announced the launch of a comprehensive campaign to address the pressing issues of open defecation and poor sanitation in the state.
The campaign is aimed at preventing the outbreak of cholera and other infectious diseases.
The campaign, which coincides with the commemoration of the 2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day, will include monthly sanitation exercises to promote environmental cleanliness, particularly in light of the recent cholera outbreak.
Professor Sam Ugwu, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, revealed that the state government will construct a permanent sewage disposal site at Nkwubor and implement various activities to ensure a clean and safe environment in Enugu.
He stated this during the Commemoration of the “2024 National Environmental Sanitation Day”, in Enugu on Friday, with the theme: “Environmental Sanitation in the Era of Climate Change”.
The ministry has been engaged in environmental conservation, protection of biodiversity, urban beautification, environmental health, and safety.
Ugwu emphasised the importance of addressing environmental degradation, ecological disasters, and depletion of natural resources, which have resulted from Nigeria’s inability to implement a comprehensive plan for sustainable development.
However, the current administration in Enugu is taking proactive measures to empower people and combat climate change.
“It has also led to ecological disaster and depletion of our natural resources. The current administration in Enugu is empowering people and taking climate change action and protecting the environment,” Ugwu said.
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The Chairman of the Enugu House of Assembly Committee on Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Pius Ezeugwu, stressed the significance of the event, highlighting the need for compliance with the Environmental Protection Law recently passed by the State House of Assembly.
He also announced that Enugu is among five pilot states selected for a foreign organization’s palm tree planting project to address climate change.
“We have taken a proactive measure in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to secure our environment,” Ezeugwu said.
Also, a senior lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Isaiah Abonyi, delivered a lecture on Sanitation and Climate Change, emphasizing the need for personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, and proper waste disposal to promote healthy living.
He also called for support for environmental health workers and the importance of sensitizing Nigerians on the dangers of climate change.
“We now experience environmental degradation, flooding and others,” he said.
The Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Mr. Mathew Abiah, recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria declared National Environmental Sanitation Day in 2005 to raise awareness on proper hygiene practices for the prevention of communicable diseases.
Poor sanitation remains a significant factor in the spread of preventable communicable diseases in developing countries like Nigeria.
The campaign launch and event aimed to promote a clean and safe environment in Enugu, address climate change, and encourage compliance with environmental laws and regulations.