ZeWA Advocates for Safe Environmental Health in Akwa Ibom State
Zero Waste Ambassadors (ZeWA) in Akwa Ibom State has called on the government of Akwa Ibom State to engineer policies and take practical actions that will ensure safe environmental health in the State.
ZeWA made the call during its advocacy visit to the Director, Environmental Health Unit of the Ministry of Environment on Tuesday.
Zero Waste Ambassadors is a platform for information sharing among stakeholders which seeks to bring together various key actors involved in waste governance at the local level, including the citizens for periodic consultation and deliberations on matters concerning the social welfare of citizens and well-being of the communities as it relates to waste management.
The Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of Zero Waste Ambassadors, Comrade Faith Paulinus noted that it was time the Environmental Health Unit intensified effort to promote a culture of responsible waste management and also encourage the adoption of innovative approaches to minimise waste in the State.
He pointed out that a poor waste management system will only lead to more health and environmental hazards in the State.
Paulinus used the occasion to invite the Environmental Health Unit of the Ministry to a Capacity building workshop on zero waste practices in the state.
The coordinator said the training slated for Tuesday May 2, 2023 will also create a platform on ways to forge a synergy with critical stakeholders for increased output within the space.
In response, the Director, Ministry of Environment, Mr Michael Effiong thanked the team for their recommendation. He assured that the ministry is working hard to ensure a safe environmental health for the State and is also rightly disposed to new ways of waste management.
He thanked ZeWA for extending the invitation and assured the presence of members of the ministry.
While stressing that there is much work to be done with respect to environmental health, the Director urged ZeWA to forge stronger alliances with Akwa Ibom State Environmental Waste Management Agency, Local Government Service Commission, the Commissioner Ministry of Environment and the Head of Environmental Health.