The Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources has appealed to vendors and waste workers to play active role in promoting hygiene practices in their various communities.
The state’s Commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Wahab urged vendors and waste workers to serve as hygiene ambassadors in their communities by advocating improved sanitation infrastructure for cholera prevention.
“Cholera remains a recurrent health crisis, with outbreaks occurring almost annually with the situation reflecting broader global challenges.
“These challenges are seen in our climate change, displacement due to conflicts, and rapid urbanisation without adequate infrastructure development.
“In 2021 alone, Nigeria recorded over 100,000 suspected cholera cases and more than 3,500 deaths across 32 states, a stark reminder of the urgency required to address the issue.
“Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, primarily spread through contaminated water and food and poses a severe threat to global health, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation and limited access to clean water,” he said.
Wahab said the initiative was a timely and critical intervention aimed at strengthening the emergency capacity of informal food and water vendors as well as waste workers, in flood-affected areas of the state.
“These individuals are frontline providers of essential services, yet they remain disproportionately vulnerable to cholera outbreaks due to their constant exposure to contaminated environments.
“The initiative would also align with broader urban planning efforts by advocating improved sanitation infrastructure across the state, which includes drainage system upgrades in order to mitigate future flooding risks.
“As frontline providers of food, water, and waste management services, informal vendors and waste workers play a vital role in public health.
“Their exposure to hazardous conditions significantly increases their risk of contracting and spreading diseases like cholera,” he said.
He stressed that preventing future outbreaks requires equipping them with the necessary knowledge, tools, and resources to maintain hygiene and safety standards in their operations.
“It is on this premise that the state government, through LASEPA, sought technical support from UNIDO to safeguard environmental quality while addressing social and economic needs.
“The partnership aims to enhance emergency response capabilities for managing infectious disease outbreaks such as cholera.
Capacity building for informal food and water vendors as well as waste workers who play critical roles in public health and sanitation.
“In order to ensure measurable impact, this initiative would focus on educating informal vendors and waste workers on cholera transmission pathways, symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment options,” he said.
He added that the focus would include the introduction of practical hygiene techniques, which include proper handwashing methods, safe food handling practices, and effective water purification methods tailored to their daily operations.
“It would also promote best practices for waste management, particularly during flooding, which covers safe collection, segregation, disposal technique, and addressing clogged drainage systems that exacerbate flooding risks.
“The provision of essential resources which include water purification kits, disinfectants, protective gear (such as gloves), hygiene materials (such as soap), and first-aid supplies to minimise exposure to contaminated environments.
“Fostering collaboration between government agencies, health officials, community leaders, private organisations, and international partners to build resilience against future health crises while addressing environmental challenges.
“Continuous monitoring and evaluation will be conducted using measurable indicators such as improved hygiene practices among participants or reductions in reported cholera cases within targeted communities.
“The Lagos State Government remains steadfastly committed to safeguarding public health through robust environmental protection policies and strategic partnerships,” he said.
Wahab stressed the need for collaboration to combat cholera in the state.
“As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that combating cholera is not just a government responsibility.
“This movement requires the active involvement of every stakeholder: policymakers, community leaders, private sector, NGOs, international organisations, informal vendors, waste workers and citizens alike,” he said.(NAN)
