05/06/2019
*Address of the President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) Lagos State, San. Awonuga T.A.S (fWAPCEH)*
*World Environment Day (W.E.D), June 05 2019.*
*Protocols*
I will like to commence with the call-out and response salutation of my profession. When I say *Sanita Sanitatum*, you'd say *Omnia Sanita*.
*Sanita Sanitatum*!
I won't let your minds wonder too far off for the meaning, I'll readily explain. Those powerful expressions were known to have been first used by the English Scholar and Public Health advocate, Sir Benjamin Disraeli, the callout meaning - "Health of one" and the response meaning - "Health of All".
We use this to continually remind ourselves of the daunting but crucial task of the protection of the health of the public.
The call-out and response is apt, I'll give you an example. (EG - Citing example of a sick child in a home)
Today we join the rest of the world in the celebration and recognition of an ever important player of our existence, our environment, as we mark the World Environment Day (WED) today.
The WED which was established by the United Nations over 45 years ago is now commemorated around the world in over 143 countries every 5th of June.
While the WED had been poised to addressing numerous Environmental issues around the world, both region endemic and general, it also serves as a reminder for nations to look inwards and identify their peculiar environmental challenges and work towards ultimate amelioration.
The theme for this year's (2019) celebration is "Air Pollution", with China being the host nation.
Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere.
Air pollution is the world’s biggest environmental health risk, costing the lives of 7 million people every year.
Outdoor and indoor air pollution resulted in 3million and 4.3 million death respectively in 2012.
Air pollution killed 600,000 children under the age of five in October 2016 (UNEP 2017).
More than 80% of people living in cities are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limit.
Some of the common air pollutants include but not limited to;
- Carbon monoxide (CO)- Oxides of Nitrogen (Nox)
- Sulfurdioxide (SO2)
- Particulate Matter
-Volatile Organic
- CompoundGround Level Ozone (O3)
The pollutants could either get to us while indoors or outdoors.
Some of the indoor means include;
- Use of Portable generators (EG - the popular "I better pass my numbet")
-Gasoline-powered tools (for example, chop saws)
-Fires and explosion
-Furnaces and boilers
-Welding
-Cigarette smoking
- Moth Balls(such as Napthalene balls)
- Air freshner
- Pesticides
- Paint
- Carpet, etc.
While some outdoor means include;
- Transportation Activities
- Generator Set
- Industrial Activities
- Construction/Demolition Activities
- Municipal Waste Management, among others.
We can combat air pollution through many means. I'll provide some summary measures before delving into some broad spectrum solutions.
- Enforcement of emission standards on industries
- Enforcement of mandatory checks and repairs for vehicles.
- Suppression of construction and road dust; increase green areas.
- Management of agricultural residues, including strict enforcement of bans on open burning.
- Strict enforcement of bans on open burning of household waste.
- Using incentives to improve the energy efficiency of household appliances, buildings, lighting, heating and cooling; encourage rooftop solar installations.
- Encouragingcentralized waste collection with source separation and treatment, including gas utilization.
- Encourage a shift from private passenger vehicles to public transport or car pool system.
- Encourage recovery of associated petroleum gas; stop routine flaring; improve leakage control.
- Encouraging the production, recovery and use of biogases.
- Promoting the use of electricity powered vehicles as against fossil fuel powered ones.
The list is inexhaustible. We can begin to embrace these one after another, gradually and we would be on our way to a better atmosphere.
While of course we agree that we share in this menace of Air Pollution, in fact world over, I'll like to use this medium to also point some of our other Environmental Challenges, which form a road map to having a cleaner, safer and healthier and better environment.
It is on this premise that I would love to speak on these cardinals that I strongly believe can get us there:
1. Waste Management
2. Health Education & Public Enlightenment
3. Enforcement of Regulations, Laws and Standards
4. Employment of more Environmental Health Officers.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
On waste management, I'm Sure Lagosians will not be quick to forget a time when this menace ravaged us, threatening to take over our roads and homes. We all rose to the occasion and defeated the menace, kudos to our erstwhile Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. We rest assured that our brand new, ever vibrant Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu is poised to do better as he has shown in these few days of assumption of office. I make bold to say, that solving the waste management conundrum is almost more than half way solving the problems facing the environment; air pollution, underground and surface water pollution, soil pollution, breeding of disease vectors and spread of communicable diseases, pest and vector control amongst the others. The beastly plastic pollution can become a thing of the past if we can get our acts right with the basics of waste management, such as sorting, re-using and recycling. Thanks to the National Assembly coming up very recently with the law criminalising the production and usage of plastics - we thence need it's enforcement.
HEALTH EDUCATION & PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT
If we put all systems and machinery in place and fail to educate the people they're meant to serve, then we would have failed. There is a dire need to go all-out, giving massive enlightenment to the public on the harms of poor environmental practices such as; littering, indiscriminate and open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping amongst others. Letting them know of the consequences - spread of faeco-oral diseases/epidemics, flooding due to blocked waterways owing to poor waste disposal practices, poor aesthetics of the environment amongst others.
We should begin to take the lessons to our schools even right from the first day in school, to allow out children know that it is wrong to litter their environment, that it is what they give to their environment that it gives to them.
It is also our individual responsibilities, everyone to the other, correcting each other. If we have a people of positive attitudes, our environment would be much better for it.
ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS, LAWS & STANDARDS
We have the laws, regulations and standards. They have largely become paper tigers, we can do more to begin to unleash these 'paper-tigers' accordingly and appropriately. I had earlier appreciated the efforts of the National Assembly on the enactment of the Plastic Law, however, it would all be efforts down the drain if enforcement is lacking. We would all agree that these laws, regulations and standards wouldn't enforcement themselves, no! They need professionals to drive them home. This brings my final point.
EMPLOYMENT OF MORE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS
These are the custodians of public health through the environment, which has been established as a major factor in our existence as humans generally. These are the superhumans who work tirelessly and undauntedly day and night, ensuring that the balance and barrier holding the disease triangle - man, disease agent and environment is never let loose.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the ratio of one Environmental Health Officer to a population of eight thousand people (1:8,000). Unfortunately, what we have is a far cry. In Lagos for example, we have just less than four hundred (400) Environmental Health Officers, serving a population of over 22 million people, bringing the ratio to about 1 Environmental Health Officer to a population of over 55,000 people (1:55,000).
We rest assured that our new Governor will remedy the status quo tho, as we appeal for the employment of more Environmental Health Officers, to help drive all of the earlier mentioned and more, and of course, make our environment safer, healthier and better for it.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Let us all rise to the call of the protection of our environment for the good of us all.
Thank you.
*Sanitarian Awonuga T.A.S (fWAPCEH)*
*President, EHOAN Lagos**Address of the President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) Lagos State, San. Awonuga T.A.S (fWAPCEH)*
*World Environment Day (W.E.D), June 05 2019.*
*Protocols*
I will like to commence with the call-out and response salutation of my profession. When I say *Sanita Sanitatum*, you'd say *Omnia Sanita*.
*Sanita Sanitatum*!
I won't let your minds wonder too far off for the meaning, I'll readily explain. Those powerful expressions were known to have been first used by the English Scholar and Public Health advocate, Sir Benjamin Disraeli, the callout meaning - "Health of one" and the response meaning - "Health of All".
We use this to continually remind ourselves of the daunting but crucial task of the protection of the health of the public.
The call-out and response is apt, I'll give you an example. (EG - Citing example of a sick child in a home)
Today we join the rest of the world in the celebration and recognition of an ever important player of our existence, our environment, as we mark the World Environment Day (WED) today.
The WED which was established by the United Nations over 45 years ago is now commemorated around the world in over 143 countries every 5th of June.
While the WED had been poised to addressing numerous Environmental issues around the world, both region endemic and general, it also serves as a reminder for nations to look inwards and identify their peculiar environmental challenges and work towards ultimate amelioration.
The theme for this year's (2019) celebration is "Air Pollution", with China being the host nation.
Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere.
Air pollution is the world’s biggest environmental health risk, costing the lives of 7 million people every year.
Outdoor and indoor air pollution resulted in 3million and 4.3 million death respectively in 2012.
Air pollution killed 600,000 children under the age of five in October 2016 (UNEP 2017).
More than 80% of people living in cities are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limit.
Some of the common air pollutants include but not limited to;
- Carbon monoxide (CO)- Oxides of Nitrogen (Nox)
- Sulfurdioxide (SO2)
- Particulate Matter
-Volatile Organic
- CompoundGround Level Ozone (O3)
The pollutants could either get to us while indoors or outdoors.
Some of the indoor means include;
- Use of Portable generators (EG - the popular "I better pass my numbet")
-Gasoline-powered tools (for example, chop saws)
-Fires and explosion
-Furnaces and boilers
-Welding
-Cigarette smoking
- Moth Balls(such as Napthalene balls)
- Air freshner
- Pesticides
- Paint
- Carpet, etc.
While some outdoor means include;
- Transportation Activities
- Generator Set
- Industrial Activities
- Construction/Demolition Activities
- Municipal Waste Management, among others.
We can combat air pollution through many means. I'll provide some summary measures before delving into some broad spectrum solutions.
- Enforcement of emission standards on industries
- Enforcement of mandatory checks and repairs for vehicles.
- Suppression of construction and road dust; increase green areas.
- Management of agricultural residues, including strict enforcement of bans on open burning.
- Strict enforcement of bans on open burning of household waste.
- Using incentives to improve the energy efficiency of household appliances, buildings, lighting, heating and cooling; encourage rooftop solar installations.
- Encouragingcentralized waste collection with source separation and treatment, including gas utilization.
- Encourage a shift from private passenger vehicles to public transport or car pool system.
- Encourage recovery of associated petroleum gas; stop routine flaring; improve leakage control.
- Encouraging the production, recovery and use of biogases.
- Promoting the use of electricity powered vehicles as against fossil fuel powered ones.
The list is inexhaustible. We can begin to embrace these one after another, gradually and we would be on our way to a better atmosphere.
While of course we agree that we share in this menace of Air Pollution, in fact world over, I'll like to use this medium to also point some of our other Environmental Challenges, which form a road map to having a cleaner, safer and healthier and better environment.
It is on this premise that I would love to speak on these cardinals that I strongly believe can get us there:
1. Waste Management
2. Health Education & Public Enlightenment
3. Enforcement of Regulations, Laws and Standards
4. Employment of more Environmental Health Officers.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
On waste management, I'm Sure Lagosians will not be quick to forget a time when this menace ravaged us, threatening to take over our roads and homes. We all rose to the occasion and defeated the menace, kudos to our erstwhile Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. We rest assured that our brand new, ever vibrant Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu is poised to do better as he has shown in these few days of assumption of office. I make bold to say, that solving the waste management conundrum is almost more than half way solving the problems facing the environment; air pollution, underground and surface water pollution, soil pollution, breeding of disease vectors and spread of communicable diseases, pest and vector control amongst the others. The beastly plastic pollution can become a thing of the past if we can get our acts right with the basics of waste management, such as sorting, re-using and recycling. Thanks to the National Assembly coming up very recently with the law criminalising the production and usage of plastics - we thence need it's enforcement.
HEALTH EDUCATION & PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT
If we put all systems and machinery in place and fail to educate the people they're meant to serve, then we would have failed. There is a dire need to go all-out, giving massive enlightenment to the public on the harms of poor environmental practices such as; littering, indiscriminate and open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping amongst others. Letting them know of the consequences - spread of faeco-oral diseases/epidemics, flooding due to blocked waterways owing to poor waste disposal practices, poor aesthetics of the environment amongst others.
We should begin to take the lessons to our schools even right from the first day in school, to allow out children know that it is wrong to litter their environment, that it is what they give to their environment that it gives to them.
It is also our individual responsibilities, everyone to the other, correcting each other. If we have a people of positive attitudes, our environment would be much better for it.
ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS, LAWS & STANDARDS
We have the laws, regulations and standards. They have largely become paper tigers, we can do more to begin to unleash these 'paper-tigers' accordingly and appropriately. I had earlier appreciated the efforts of the National Assembly on the enactment of the Plastic Law, however, it would all be efforts down the drain if enforcement is lacking. We would all agree that these laws, regulations and standards wouldn't enforcement themselves, no! They need professionals to drive them home. This brings my final point.
EMPLOYMENT OF MORE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS
These are the custodians of public health through the environment, which has been established as a major factor in our existence as humans generally. These are the superhumans who work tirelessly and undauntedly day and night, ensuring that the balance and barrier holding the disease triangle - man, disease agent and environment is never let loose.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the ratio of one Environmental Health Officer to a population of eight thousand people (1:8,000). Unfortunately, what we have is a far cry. In Lagos for example, we have just less than four hundred (400) Environmental Health Officers, serving a population of over 22 million people, bringing the ratio to about 1 Environmental Health Officer to a population of over 55,000 people (1:55,000).
We rest assured that our new Governor will remedy the status quo tho, as we appeal for the employment of more Environmental Health Officers, to help drive all of the earlier mentioned and more, and of course, make our environment safer, healthier and better for it.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Let us all rise to the call of the protection of our environment for the good of us all.
Thank you.
*Sanitarian Awonuga T.A.S (fWAPCEH)*
*President, EHOAN Lagos**Address of the President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) Lagos State, San. Awonuga T.A.S (fWAPCEH)*
*World Environment Day (W.E.D), June 05 2019.*
*Protocols*
I will like to commence with the call-out and response salutation of my profession. When I say *Sanita Sanitatum*, you'd say *Omnia Sanita*.
*Sanita Sanitatum*!
I won't let your minds wonder too far off for the meaning, I'll readily explain. Those powerful expressions were known to have been first used by the English Scholar and Public Health advocate, Sir Benjamin Disraeli, the callout meaning - "Health of one" and the response meaning - "Health of All".
We use this to continually remind ourselves of the daunting but crucial task of the protection of the health of the public.
The call-out and response is apt, I'll give you an example. (EG - Citing example of a sick child in a home)
Today we join the rest of the world in the celebration and recognition of an ever important player of our existence, our environment, as we mark the World Environment Day (WED) today.
The WED which was established by the United Nations over 45 years ago is now commemorated around the world in over 143 countries every 5th of June.
While the WED had been poised to addressing numerous Environmental issues around the world, both region endemic and general, it also serves as a reminder for nations to look inwards and identify their peculiar environmental challenges and work towards ultimate amelioration.
The theme for this year's (2019) celebration is "Air Pollution", with China being the host nation.
Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere.
Air pollution is the world’s biggest environmental health risk, costing the lives of 7 million people every year.
Outdoor and indoor air pollution resulted in 3million and 4.3 million death respectively in 2012.
Air pollution killed 600,000 children under the age of five in October 2016 (UNEP 2017).
More than 80% of people living in cities are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limit.
Some of the common air pollutants include but not limited to;
- Carbon monoxide (CO)- Oxides of Nitrogen (Nox)
- Sulfurdioxide (SO2)
- Particulate Matter
-Volatile Organic
- CompoundGround Level Ozone (O3)
The pollutants could either get to us while indoors or outdoors.
Some of the indoor means include;
- Use of Portable generators (EG - the popular "I better pass my numbet")
-Gasoline-powered tools (for example, chop saws)
-Fires and explosion
-Furnaces and boilers
-Welding
-Cigarette smoking
- Moth Balls(such as Napthalene balls)
- Air freshner
- Pesticides
- Paint
- Carpet, etc.
While some outdoor means include;
- Transportation Activities
- Generator Set
- Industrial Activities
- Construction/Demolition Activities
- Municipal Waste Management, among others.
We can combat air pollution through many means. I'll provide some summary measures before delving into some broad spectrum solutions.
- Enforcement of emission standards on industries
- Enforcement of mandatory checks and repairs for vehicles.
- Suppression of construction and road dust; increase green areas.
- Management of agricultural residues, including strict enforcement of bans on open burning.
- Strict enforcement of bans on open burning of household waste.
- Using incentives to improve the energy efficiency of household appliances, buildings, lighting, heating and cooling; encourage rooftop solar installations.
- Encouragingcentralized waste collection with source separation and treatment, including gas utilization.
- Encourage a shift from private passenger vehicles to public transport or car pool system.
- Encourage recovery of associated petroleum gas; stop routine flaring; improve leakage control.
- Encouraging the production, recovery and use of biogases.
- Promoting the use of electricity powered vehicles as against fossil fuel powered ones.
The list is inexhaustible. We can begin to embrace these one after another, gradually and we would be on our way to a better atmosphere.
While of course we agree that we share in this menace of Air Pollution, in fact world over, I'll like to use this medium to also point some of our other Environmental Challenges, which form a road map to having a cleaner, safer and healthier and better environment.
It is on this premise that I would love to speak on these cardinals that I strongly believe can get us there:
1. Waste Management
2. Health Education & Public Enlightenment
3. Enforcement of Regulations, Laws and Standards
4. Employment of more Environmental Health Officers.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
On waste management, I'm Sure Lagosians will not be quick to forget a time when this menace ravaged us, threatening to take over our roads and homes. We all rose to the occasion and defeated the menace, kudos to our erstwhile Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. We rest assured that our brand new, ever vibrant Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu is poised to do better as he has shown in these few days of assumption of office. I make bold to say, that solving the waste management conundrum is almost more than half way solving the problems facing the environment; air pollution, underground and surface water pollution, soil pollution, breeding of disease vectors and spread of communicable diseases, pest and vector control amongst the others. The beastly plastic pollution can become a thing of the past if we can get our acts right with the basics of waste management, such as sorting, re-using and recycling. Thanks to the National Assembly coming up very recently with the law criminalising the production and usage of plastics - we thence need it's enforcement.
HEALTH EDUCATION & PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT
If we put all systems and machinery in place and fail to educate the people they're meant to serve, then we would have failed. There is a dire need to go all-out, giving massive enlightenment to the public on the harms of poor environmental practices such as; littering, indiscriminate and open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping amongst others. Letting them know of the consequences - spread of faeco-oral diseases/epidemics, flooding due to blocked waterways owing to poor waste disposal practices, poor aesthetics of the environment amongst others.
We should begin to take the lessons to our schools even right from the first day in school, to allow out children know that it is wrong to litter their environment, that it is what they give to their environment that it gives to them.
It is also our individual responsibilities, everyone to the other, correcting each other. If we have a people of positive attitudes, our environment would be much better for it.
ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS, LAWS & STANDARDS
We have the laws, regulations and standards. They have largely become paper tigers, we can do more to begin to unleash these 'paper-tigers' accordingly and appropriately. I had earlier appreciated the efforts of the National Assembly on the enactment of the Plastic Law, however, it would all be efforts down the drain if enforcement is lacking. We would all agree that these laws, regulations and standards wouldn't enforcement themselves, no! They need professionals to drive them home. This brings my final point.
EMPLOYMENT OF MORE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS
These are the custodians of public health through the environment, which has been established as a major factor in our existence as humans generally. These are the superhumans who work tirelessly and undauntedly day and night, ensuring that the balance and barrier holding the disease triangle - man, disease agent and environment is never let loose.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the ratio of one Environmental Health Officer to a population of eight thousand people (1:8,000). Unfortunately, what we have is a far cry. In Lagos for example, we have just less than four hundred (400) Environmental Health Officers, serving a population of over 22 million people, bringing the ratio to about 1 Environmental Health Officer to a population of over 55,000 people (1:55,000).
We rest assured that our new Governor will remedy the status quo tho, as we appeal for the employment of more Environmental Health Officers, to help drive all of the earlier mentioned and more, and of course, make our environment safer, healthier and better for it.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Let us all rise to the call of the protection of our environment for the good of us all.
Thank you.
*Sanitarian Awonuga T.A.S (fWAPCEH)*
*President, EHOAN Lagos**Address of the President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN) Lagos State, San. Awonuga T.A.S (fWAPCEH)*
*World Environment Day (W.E.D), June 05 2019.*
*Protocols*
I will like to commence with the call-out and response salutation of my profession. When I say *Sanita Sanitatum*, you'd say *Omnia Sanita*.
*Sanita Sanitatum*!
I won't let your minds wonder too far off for the meaning, I'll readily explain. Those powerful expressions were known to have been first used by the English Scholar and Public Health advocate, Sir Benjamin Disraeli, the callout meaning - "Health of one" and the response meaning - "Health of All".
We use this to continually remind ourselves of the daunting but crucial task of the protection of the health of the public.
The call-out and response is apt, I'll give you an example. (EG - Citing example of a sick child in a home)
Today we join the rest of the world in the celebration and recognition of an ever important player of our existence, our environment, as we mark the World Environment Day (WED) today.
The WED which was established by the United Nations over 45 years ago is now commemorated around the world in over 143 countries every 5th of June.
While the WED had been poised to addressing numerous Environmental issues around the world, both region endemic and general, it also serves as a reminder for nations to look inwards and identify their peculiar environmental challenges and work towards ultimate amelioration.
The theme for this year's (2019) celebration is "Air Pollution", with China being the host nation.
Air pollution occurs when harmful or excessive quantities of substances including gases, particles, and biological molecules are introduced into Earth's atmosphere.
Air pollution is the world’s biggest environmental health risk, costing the lives of 7 million people every year.
Outdoor and indoor air pollution resulted in 3million and 4.3 million death respectively in 2012.
Air pollution killed 600,000 children under the age of five in October 2016 (UNEP 2017).
More than 80% of people living in cities are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limit.
Some of the common air pollutants include but not limited to;
- Carbon monoxide (CO)- Oxides of Nitrogen (Nox)
- Sulfurdioxide (SO2)
- Particulate Matter
-Volatile Organic
- CompoundGround Level Ozone (O3)
The pollutants could either get to us while indoors or outdoors.
Some of the indoor means include;
- Use of Portable generators (EG - the popular "I better pass my numbet")
-Gasoline-powered tools (for example, chop saws)
-Fires and explosion
-Furnaces and boilers
-Welding
-Cigarette smoking
- Moth Balls(such as Napthalene balls)
- Air freshner
- Pesticides
- Paint
- Carpet, etc.
While some outdoor means include;
- Transportation Activities
- Generator Set
- Industrial Activities
- Construction/Demolition Activities
- Municipal Waste Management, among others.
We can combat air pollution through many means. I'll provide some summary measures before delving into some broad spectrum solutions.
- Enforcement of emission standards on industries
- Enforcement of mandatory checks and repairs for vehicles.
- Suppression of construction and road dust; increase green areas.
- Management of agricultural residues, including strict enforcement of bans on open burning.
- Strict enforcement of bans on open burning of household waste.
- Using incentives to improve the energy efficiency of household appliances, buildings, lighting, heating and cooling; encourage rooftop solar installations.
- Encouragingcentralized waste collection with source separation and treatment, including gas utilization.
- Encourage a shift from private passenger vehicles to public transport or car pool system.
- Encourage recovery of associated petroleum gas; stop routine flaring; improve leakage control.
- Encouraging the production, recovery and use of biogases.
- Promoting the use of electricity powered vehicles as against fossil fuel powered ones.
The list is inexhaustible. We can begin to embrace these one after another, gradually and we would be on our way to a better atmosphere.
While of course we agree that we share in this menace of Air Pollution, in fact world over, I'll like to use this medium to also point some of our other Environmental Challenges, which form a road map to having a cleaner, safer and healthier and better environment.
It is on this premise that I would love to speak on these cardinals that I strongly believe can get us there:
1. Waste Management
2. Health Education & Public Enlightenment
3. Enforcement of Regulations, Laws and Standards
4. Employment of more Environmental Health Officers.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
On waste management, I'm Sure Lagosians will not be quick to forget a time when this menace ravaged us, threatening to take over our roads and homes. We all rose to the occasion and defeated the menace, kudos to our erstwhile Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. We rest assured that our brand new, ever vibrant Governor, Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu is poised to do better as he has shown in these few days of assumption of office. I make bold to say, that solving the waste management conundrum is almost more than half way solving the problems facing the environment; air pollution, underground and surface water pollution, soil pollution, breeding of disease vectors and spread of communicable diseases, pest and vector control amongst the others. The beastly plastic pollution can become a thing of the past if we can get our acts right with the basics of waste management, such as sorting, re-using and recycling. Thanks to the National Assembly coming up very recently with the law criminalising the production and usage of plastics - we thence need it's enforcement.
HEALTH EDUCATION & PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT
If we put all systems and machinery in place and fail to educate the people they're meant to serve, then we would have failed. There is a dire need to go all-out, giving massive enlightenment to the public on the harms of poor environmental practices such as; littering, indiscriminate and open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping amongst others. Letting them know of the consequences - spread of faeco-oral diseases/epidemics, flooding due to blocked waterways owing to poor waste disposal practices, poor aesthetics of the environment amongst others.
We should begin to take the lessons to our schools even right from the first day in school, to allow out children know that it is wrong to litter their environment, that it is what they give to their environment that it gives to them.
It is also our individual responsibilities, everyone to the other, correcting each other. If we have a people of positive attitudes, our environment would be much better for it.
ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS, LAWS & STANDARDS
We have the laws, regulations and standards. They have largely become paper tigers, we can do more to begin to unleash these 'paper-tigers' accordingly and appropriately. I had earlier appreciated the efforts of the National Assembly on the enactment of the Plastic Law, however, it would all be efforts down the drain if enforcement is lacking. We would all agree that these laws, regulations and standards wouldn't enforcement themselves, no! They need professionals to drive them home. This brings my final point.
EMPLOYMENT OF MORE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS
These are the custodians of public health through the environment, which has been established as a major factor in our existence as humans generally. These are the superhumans who work tirelessly and undauntedly day and night, ensuring that the balance and barrier holding the disease triangle - man, disease agent and environment is never let loose.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the ratio of one Environmental Health Officer to a population of eight thousand people (1:8,000). Unfortunately, what we have is a far cry. In Lagos for example, we have just less than four hundred (400) Environmental Health Officers, serving a population of over 22 million people, bringing the ratio to about 1 Environmental Health Officer to a population of over 55,000 people (1:55,000).
We rest assured that our new Governor will remedy the status quo tho, as we appeal for the employment of more Environmental Health Officers, to help drive all of the earlier mentioned and more, and of course, make our environment safer, healthier and better for it.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Let us all rise to the call of the protection of our environment for the good of us all.
Thank you.
*Sanitarian Awonuga T.A.S (fWAPCEH)*
*President, EHOAN Lagos*
