Zakari Haruna -Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government, in partnership with the Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL) Project, marked this year's National Environmental Sanitation Day with various activities aimed at promoting hygiene and preventing communicable diseases.
The event, organized by the State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, featured a sensitization road walk and a clean-up exercise. June 28th is designated by the Federal Government as National Environmental Sanitation Day to raise awareness about the importance of proper hygiene practices.
Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe led the road walk, which began at the state Secretariat, proceeded along Yakubu Gowon Way, and concluded at the Central Market in Kaduna. Dr. Balarabe highlighted the critical need for environmental sanitation, particularly in light of the ongoing threats of floods and disease outbreaks.
"We must all embrace environmental sanitation to protect ourselves and our communities from the dangers posed by poor hygiene and waste management," Dr. Balarabe stated.
She emphasized that the day is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting effective sanitation and hygiene practices among citizens to prevent communicable diseases such as malaria, cholera, Lassa fever, and yellow fever. Dr. Hadiza urged Kaduna residents to adopt good personal and environmental hygiene practices to maintain a clean state.
State Commissioner of Environment Alhaji Abubakar Buba announced that the state government would soon launch a house-to-house refuse collection initiative to further ensure environmental cleanliness.
"The government is committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment for all residents of Kaduna State," Alhaji Buba said. "We call on everyone to participate in ensuring their immediate environment is clean, to avoid improper waste disposal, and to engage waste managers effectively, as health is wealth."
Buba commended the World Bank for its support and partnership through the ACRESAL project, emphasizing that this collaboration would foster environmental sustainability and agricultural prosperity for Kaduna State residents.
ACRESAL Project Coordinator Malam Jibril Dahiru Rufa'i highlighted the importance of proper waste management practices. "Proper waste management is essential for building resilience against environmental challenges, especially in semi-arid regions like ours," Malam Rufa'i noted. He mentioned that part of the ACRESAL project's goals is to restore lost trees through afforestation and other climate change adaptation activities.
“We will do all that is possible for the ACRESAL project to be sustained, maintained, and achieved,” Malam Rufa'i stated.
The event's highlight was a demonstration of environmental clean-up activities by the Deputy Governor and other senior government officials, showcasing their commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment in Kaduna State. They actively participated in the clean-up exercise, setting a positive example for the community by clearing trash and demonstrating proper waste disposal techniques.
The event also sent a strong message to the public, encouraging citizens to take ownership of their surroundings and contribute to the state's environmental cleanliness.
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