FG to review sanitation policy, signs MOU on species protection
Waste management. PHOTO: ekekeee.com
After 13 years, the Federal Government has moved to review its national environmental sanitation policy, and other documents to promote sound practices in the country.
Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Charles Ikea stated at National Workshop in Abuja, explained that sanitation is one of the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a fundamental building block in the fight against poverty and preventable diseases.
According to him, the review and update of the policy was budgeted for and appropriated in 2017 and 2018. He also revealed that the government is partnering with UN agencies for its validation.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Aliboh Leon said age and times necessitated call for the review of national environmental sanitation to meet present challenges.
He noted that the policy would provide operational framework on solid waste management, pest and vector control, market and abattoirs food sanitation, and hygiene education, and inspection of premises.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Conservation International Foundation (CIF), aimed at protecting endangered species and encouraging ecotourism in the country.
The agreement is in collaboration with Human Rights Advancement, Development and Advocacy Centre (HURIDAC) the Nigerian partner to Conservation International Foundation.
Conservator General of National Parks Service, Ibrahim Goni, signed on behalf of government, while Michael O’Brien-Onyeke, Senior Vice President Africa Field Division represented the Foundation.
Goni said that the pact would strengthen their roles in empowering, people, regulating ecosystem and protecting endangered species, adding that Nigeria has seven parks, which served as the country’s gene bank.
He also said that the country has wild species that flourish as natural systems, and which help regulate climate change, air quality, and cycles of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, mineral elements and water.
According to him, the national parks service was meant to reaching out to both national and international bodies to make them household names, adding that with MOU, they would make impact.
On his part, Michael O’Brien-Onyeke, explained that the agreement is to ensure sustainable conservation and protection of key reserved areas as well as ecosystem.
He said that they want to see conservation thrive in Nigeria, explore other areas to attract revenue through tourism, and so they would do needful in the system to make the parks attain global standards.
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