Mrs Aderonke Lawal, an Environmentalist and resident of Kubwa, has advocated the need for residents to indulge in environmental sanitation while observing the stay-at-home order by the Federal Government.
Lawal made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
She said that the COVID-19 pandemic might have a negative impact on the nation if people refused to obey the order.
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She, however, advised residents to use the opportunity of the stay-at-home order by the Federal Government to engage in environmental sanitation, clearing wastes in and around their vicinity before the rainy season commences in full.
“There is a need for us all to wake up and take charge of our environment during this period.
“It is a unique opportunity to mobilise and rid our environment of nylons, leather bags and also clear the gutters the wastes may have blocked.
“We all know the dangers these wastes pose to agriculture and our health especially, the truth is, when the rains come, it will be difficult to gather these wastes and burn them.”
Lawal also decried the low level of awareness and environmental education among communities.
According to her, the level of awareness is low as many are yet to comprehend the potential hazards relating to a polluted environment.
She said that there was the need for consistent sensitization campaign and a sustained policy that would help check the process within communities.
Lawal urged government at all levels, especially the local community levels to prioritise environmental issues, adding that they were responsible for most health challenges, if not checked.
“Area councils within the FCT and in other states must take environment issues seriously and must ensure proper wastes and refuge disposal.
“Some of us go out of our way to mobilise youths within our areas to gather and burn these wastes at designated sites and this is done with the help of the traditional head and some concerned residents in the areas.
“It is worthy of emulation and doesn’t take much, even if you have to pay a stipend to get it done, do so to ensure you live in a hygienic environment,” she said.
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