By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Federal Ministry of Environment has deployed specialized team to Borno state to assist with the aftermath of the flooding.
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr.Iziaq Salako made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja, during the commissioning of the resources that will be used by the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria ( EHCON), in Maiduguri Borno state.
He emphasized that the deployment is to caution against the wild spread of waterborne diseases caused by flooding and identify the sources of hazardous chemicals.
According to Salako there is an urgent need to deploy environmental experts to the state, due to concerns of the flooding.
He said “It is imperative to caution to the people, authorities and stakeholders to be about diseases such as Diarrhea, Cholera that may occur in an epidemic proportion arising from the use of water already contaminated for cooking and drinking.
Other are Silicosis, Asbestosis, Asthma and Cancer which may prevail as a result of People’s exposure to Chemical Substances washed into Flood waters those impairing the Cardiopulmonary functions of the human system.
He explained that this diseases and health conditions are premeditated by factors inherent with flood situations contamination of water by Micro-organisms ranging from Bacteria and Viruses thus causing water-borne infections; Insect-borne Parasites like Plasmodium carried by House Flies that cause vector-borne infections which negatively affects the human health physical, chemical and psychological hazards abound post flooding episodes.
He said “Top soils are washed into water bodies such as rivers, streams and ponds thereby aggravating the overflow of the banks, open wells also receive their fair share. In the same manner, solid wastes and debris are also introduced into such water bodies thereby introducing chemical substances. Fertilizers, herbicides, and other agro allied products from flooded farmlands constitute chemical hazards which are introduced into water bodies as well,” he noted .
The Minister stated that there must be collaboration between federal and state authorities in order to help tackle the environmental challenges resulting from the floods.
He said with all this concerns on ground .
“It is therefore imperative for the Ministry to issue this Environmental Health Advisory that will help mitigate the devastating effects associated with the menace of flooding.
He said “At the Community level
The community should adopt the following mitigation strategies:
Establish Environmental Health and Sanitation Committee to coordinate Community level Environmental Health response and liaise with appropriate authorities,
Ensure that public drains are opened and cleared of all kinds of debris to enable free flow of Water as effective drainage help in quick abatement of the flood waters
“Make adequate provision for evacuation routes and also pay attention to weather forecast to forestall re-occurrence.
Be on alert by continuously monitoring the level of all surface waters and Introduce continuous Awareness creation in and around the community.
Others ate Report any action that may lead to further flooding to the local Authorities Encourage members of the Community to comply with flood alerts, warnings and Work with the appropriate Organs of Government for rescue Operations. and Enforce compliance with Sanitation and Hygiene measures “.
Meanwhile , The Minister also have preventive measures at household level, such as:
Families/Households should screen their buildings to prevent invasion of dangerous and stray animals such as reptiles, arachnids, amphibians , rodents, and other terrestrial and aquatic animals associated with flooding .
Families should step up general cleaning of their surroundings to get rid of germs and filth
Also, Dumping of wastes in waterways should be stopped as the practice only aid further flooding and Raise electrical outlets in their houses to avoid electrocution and Make provisions to treat water before consumption through Boiling, Chlorination.
He said families should Provide Hand Washing Facilities for Family members’ Use
He added Preventive Measures at Personal Level:
“Wear protective gear like Gloves, masks, and boots
Avoid electrical hazards – switch of power lines, flooded electrical outlets and Be aware of wildlife like Snakes, rodents, and other displaced animals
“Managing stress by seeking support from family, friends, or professionals
- Stay informed by following updates from authorities among many others .
The deployed team includes experts from various departments and agencies, such as the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, the Department of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, and the Environmental Health Council. Their immediate tasks involve continuous water sampling and testing, identifying sources of hazardous chemicals, and preventing waterborne diseases.
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