Ebola: Reps want adequate funding for environment ministry

The committee also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for declaring a national emergency on the outbreak of the deadly virus, which has killed about 900 people so far in three West African countries.
Chairperson of the committee, Rep Uche Ekwunife (APGA, Anambra), made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting with the Federal Ministry of Environment, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria, heads of state offices, as well as the National Park in Abuja.
“It’s important for us to tackle the root cause of the virus which  lies in our environment with regards to animals in our parks and pets in our homes through adequate sensitization and warnings to those keeping them. And the only way is through adequate funding of the Ministry of Environment.
 “It’s by so doing that health officers can go from door to door to carry out enforcement of environmental safety regulations as they concern public health,” she added.
She also called on the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on sanitation and hygiene.
“The essence of this session is to see how we can nip the disease in the bud as managers of our environment. The National Park is involved since the virus reservoir is said to be certain animals.
And we can’t over-emphasise the work of the Environment Ministry, because without the environment, no business can survive in our society,” she said.