The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched inclusive sensitisation on environmental sanitation in Kwali Area Council.
Flagging off the exercise in Kwali on Monday, the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, noted that the administration was required to “implement higher standards of environmental sanitation and orderliness” as its 4th Performance Deliverable under the Next Level agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. To achieve this, all hands must be on deck, and everyone has to take responsibility for their actions, he added.
“As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that communities take action to prevent further transmission, reduce the impacts of the outbreak and support control measures. Proper waste management and good hygiene practices are critical to enhancing public health, and are indispensable for optimal economic productivity.
“It is for this reason that the FCTA, through the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), initiated the “Inclusive Sensitisation on Environmental Sanitation” in all communities in the FCT to ensure that everyone gets involved in taking actions to guarantee a healthy environment,” he said.
While noting that most of the diseases affecting people are as a result of poor environmental hygiene practices, the effect of which has been an increase in morbidity and mortality rates in children under five, Aliyu assured that the FCTA shall continue to enforce existing policies and guidelines on issues related to acceptable waste management practices.
The minister stressed that indiscriminate disposal of waste had impact not only on public health, but also on human dignity and personal safety. He noted that the scheme launched would greatly improve the health conditions of residents of the FCT and take a step closer to achieving one of the cardinal objectives of the administration, while advancing the cause of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his remarks, the permanent secretary, FCT, Mr Olusola Adesola, said the World Bank’s reports on the economic impact of poor sanitation across communities in Nigeria estimated that Nigeria losses a whooping N455billion annually, representing 1.3 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Adesola, who was represented at the occasion by the acting secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Mrs Omolola Olanipekun, said the event was a clear demonstration by the FCTA towards improving environmental sanitation and good hygiene across all communities of the six area councils.
