Health
A Chief Environmental Health Officer in Lagos, Alhaji Abdularasaq Akande, on Thursday urged government to provide vehicles for health officers in the state to enforce sanitation.
Akande, a prosecutor in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Amuwo Odofin Local Government, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on the sidelines of the Thursday sanitation in the state.
NAN reports that markets and businesses in Lagos State are to remain closed and observe environmental sanitation from 7.00 am to 10.00 a.m every Thursday.
They are expected to clean up their surroundings and maintain all sanitation rules, as provided by law.
Health officers in the state are tasked with the responsibility of ensuring compliance of sanitation rules and consequent prosecution of violators in a court of law.
Akande told NAN that sanitation exercises in the state, as well as the prosecution of offenders, had achieved remarkable success as more residents were better informed of health rules.
He attributed this to the awareness of residents about the benefits of good sanitation, as well as the health education of residents by health officers.
The health officer, however, underscored the need for provision of adequate mobility for health officers to enhance effective enforcement of sanitation regulations.
“If health officers are provided with adequate vehicles to move around and check compliance with sanitation rules, it will greatly enhance their work which includes enforcement and arrest.
“Vehicles are required to execute the job of enforcement and this cannot be effectively achieved where health officers carry out same by foot.
“With mobility it is possible to cover scores of locations, but same cannot be achieved on foot.
“In Lagos State today, especially within Badagry and some other divisions, there is a high level of compliance unlike what used to be.
“I think people have come to realise the importance of sanitation as well as the importance of living in a clean environment.
“All these have helped to ensure that there is good compliance with sanitation rules in Lagos State,” he said.
Akande, therefore, urged government to look into the repair of abandoned vehicles and consider replacements in order to aid the job of health officers in the state. (NAN)
9th January, 2025.
C.E.
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