By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (ECHON) said the council is working towards standardizing pest control business a sub sector of the environmental health business.
Registrar of the Council, Dr. Yakubu Baba, made this known at a press conference
in Abuja to mark the 2024 World Pest Day Celebration tagged; “World Pest Day 2024” is “Global Solutions, Local Impact: Mapping Success in Pest Management”.
He said Globally, the control industry is worth nearly USD 25 billion, while in Nigeria, it is expected to be a NGN 5 billion sector. “It is imperative to inform Nigerian public to in their best interest, engage the services of registered public health pest control service providers for their effective and efficient services.
“Not doing so translates into contravention of the National Environmental Health Practice Regulations, 2016.”
Baba explained that pest-related issues in Nigeria pose significant threats to public health, agriculture, and the environment.
He said such pests include malaria-carrying mosquitoes, lassa virus-infected rodents, and crop-destroying insects.
He emphasized that the impact of pests is far-reaching and cannot be underestimated.
“By ensuring pests-free homes, offices, factories, schools, recreational facilities, transportation facilities, farms among numerous others, pest control service providers ensure that we stay safe, away from the harmful effects of essentially domestic animal pests.”
“These professionals do not only contribute significantly to the overall well-being of our community, they also protect our moveable and unmovable assets, thus shielding from economic losses,” he said.
He said that the application of scientific principles and the adoption of best practices are paramount in modern pest management.
Pointing out that it is essential to employ environmentally friendly and sustainable methods that minimize the Impact on Nigeria’s ecosystems Dr. Baba stated the need for effective control of pest populations as well as training and certifying professionals in the field.
“The Council is regularly issuing and updating practice standards, which are the minimum expected of every registered Public Health Pest Control Service Provider.
“Essentially, these will serve as basis for addressing any concerns, complaints, and issues as may be raised by Nigerian citizens who uptake pest control services.
He noted that the Federal Ministry of Environment is playing a prominent role in the control of pests and vectors of diseases.
“You may recall that on 21st of February, 2024, an outbreak of Lassa fever which resulted in the death of a Patient and three Health Workers was reported at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital,in Kaduna State.
He noted that this led the Honourable Minister of Environment to immediately flag-off an intervention campaign, which include derivational exercise to break the chain of transmission of Lassa fever and other rodent-caused infectious diseases in Kaduna State.
“Subsequently, the campaign was extended to cover the most affected state in each of the other Five Geopolitical Zones”, he stated .
He informed Nigerians that the number one strategy for pest control is pest exclusion, which is achievable through sound environmental hygiene by removing any sources of food, water, and shelter, which attract pests especially in the kitchen.
“Ensuring that food items are stored in safe and enclosed containers, while refuse are property stored, disposed of sanitarily and regularly is a sure way of keeping pests at bay, ” the registrar added.
Similarly , the Chairman, FCT, Pest Control Association of Nigeria, PECAN, Terungwa Abari, said the association have been working with the council to ensure that standards are maintained in terms of ensuring that not everybody can set up a pest control practice.
He said the meeting was to create awareness and educate the public on the benefits of professional pest control to the society, by increasing the quality of life and the environment.
“We have created awareness in every even opportunity. In fact, there are some special days like the World Mosquito Day that we go to the very vulnerable communities, to educate them.
“Enlighten them about basic practices that will help in controlling the pest that constituted majority challenge to all facets of our living, whether it is in food production, or health etc”,the registrar said.
The World Pest Day provides a unique opportunity to increase awareness about the essential services that Pest Management Organizations offer globally and locally.
