Here in this post, we are going to proffer possible solutions on how to improve sanitation in Nigeria. We hope you find this article informative.
On a serious note, Nigeria, as a nation has been, over the years, facing with serious sanitation challenges, even after gaining political independence for many years now.
Experts in sanitation field are moaning over the fact that, majority of cities and towns across Nigeria are still in serious problem with waste management, even as some communities within the country are yet to be free from the problem of open defecation.
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Although, experts have called for increased investments in this area, with a view to help rectify the problem, but what they observed is that, lack of a single department with complete obligation with regards to sanitation within the Nigerian government, including widespread corruption in the country, as well as, lack of community support may, in fact, hinder the efforts.
Record had it that the Nigerian Water and Sanitation Programme shows that, the Nigeria’s sanitation challenge has costs the country over $3 billion every year.
This is as a result of loss of productivity, as well as, health care expenditures. Be that as it may, there is need for Nigeria to make sure that, it improves hygiene awareness in the country, particularly in the rural areas across the country.
Since sanitation is simply a system that allows for promotion of human and animal wastes disposal. Sanitation encourages proper use of facilities, for example, toilets, and bathrooms as well as, kitchen among others, including avoidance of open space defecation.
Having said that, improved sanitation is quite critical and necessary in the quest to improve and as well, protect the health and well-being of Nigerian citizenry.
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What Then Are The Ways To Improve Sanitation In Nigeria?
There are numerous ways to improve sanitation in Nigeria, and I will be focusing on explaining some of those ways in this article. Below are some of those ways:
1. Implementation Of The Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) Project
One of the best strategies that can be employed to ensure that, there is effective sanitation, I mean, environmental sanitation across Nigeria is to implement the Integrated Solid Waste Management project.
This is very important, if Nigeria must improve its sanitation status. Having a close study of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Project, one will discover that, the project is comprehensive.
It encapsulated waste management, and recycling, and compositing as well as, disposal project, which according to those, who established the project, will help in fast-tracking the sanitation of Nigerian environment, provided it is properly managed.
And I will also suggest that, while implementing the project, let it be in strong collaboration among different government agencies, and non-governmental organisations NGOs, including other relevant international institutions.
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2. Promotion Of Environmental Sanitation In The Country
There is need for the promotion of environmental sanitation in Nigeria. We are all aware that, poor sanitation can cause a serious havoc, such as developing terminal diseases among Nigerians.
It can also cause malnutrition through water and food contamination hence, I will urge Nigerians to make sure that, they promote environmental sanitation in the country, so as to boost Nigeria’s economic development and also boost the health of Nigerian citizens.
Although poor sanitation in Nigeria is immediate threat that however, needs immense and strong focus. Having said that, environmental sanitation, for the most part, requires long-term investments, and this will guarantee the growth of Nigeria.
3. Promotion Of Sanitation Via Collaboration With Relevant National And International Bodies
This collaboration is very necessary, since it will help promote and improve sanitation in Nigeria. This is actually the duty of the government.
The Nigerian government must collaborate with all the relevant national, as well as, international organisations in its efforts and drive to promote and improve effective environmental sanitation in Nigeria.
And I bet, if the Nigerian government will love to partner with other relevant stakeholders in the environmental sanitation area, the likelihood is that, this collaboration will help in promoting environmental sanitation in Nigeria, and various views, and ideas as well as, contributions from these experts will definitely help in the improvement of sanitation in the country.
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4. Proper Disposal Of Hospital Waste To Prevent Potential Health Hazard
Although, what will help in the improvement of sanitation in Nigeria is the sustainability, as well as, the implementation of the environmental sanitation projects, which is principally, to address the problem of inefficiency of sanitation programmes, hospital waste, has been identified as another environmental challenge, capable of provoking the outbreak of more serious diseases in the Nigerian neighbourhoods.
Going by this, the hospital management bodies, must as a matter of important, ensure that such wastes that are generated within the premises of the hospital are properly disposed in such a way that will stop any potential health hazards.
5. Construction Of High-Quality Toilets With Effective Sanitation Facilities
This is another important key area, which if adopt will engender good hygiene. So construction of this type of high-quality toilets, and with the provision of effective sanitation facilities, will in fact, help in making toilets in Nigerian neighborhood sustainable, and as well, support healthier environment in the Nigerian society.
Take a look at the challenge of using a toilet without having adequate water to see to it that, the toilets is properly clean is actually frustrating plans of attaining good hygiene in the Nigerian neighborhoods.
A situation, where there is no adequate water to clean toilet after used, could in fact, trigger the onset of deadly diseases, even as that will also help to taint the environment.
The relevant authorities should endeavour to introduce a new Flush-Tech Sanitation System that will make availability of fixed quantity of water, capable of recycling through the process in toilets at every time.
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Conclusion
Since sanitation is simply a system that allows for promotion of human and animal wastes disposal. Sanitation encourages proper use of facilities, for example, toilets, and bathrooms as well as, kitchen among others, including avoidance of open space defecation.
Having said that, improved sanitation is quite critical and necessary in the quest to improve and as well, protect the health and well-being of Nigerian citizenry.