Adebayo Adenrele
The Ekiti State Government has appealed to residents to stop treating issues relating to environmental hygiene with disdain, to avert exponential increase in morbidity and mortality health indices in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media,Victor Ogunje, gave the warning at Usi -Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government area of Ekiti State today, while monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation programme.
In the course of monitoring the exercise, the Deputy Governor visited Ikere, Ido/Osi , Isokan LCDA, Irepodun/Ifelodun, and Ado Local Government areas to monitor and enforce compliance with the Environmental Sanitation policy.
Afuye lamented the poor and lacklustre participation of people in the programme, specifically targeted at ensuring cleanliness and prevention of infectious diseases that can reduce life expectancy.
The Deputy Governor expressed displeasure at the low spirit and dispositions with which the people across the towns visited participated in the exercise, saying there was need for aggressive awareness and reorientation to forestall health hazard in Ekiti.
The statement reads, “In all the towns and local governments visited, we saw farmers trekking to their farms and traders displaying their wares for business activities. Even, the drivers and motorcyclists were working at the parks, these are not supposed to be so.
“The essence of this exercise is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases that cause deaths and diseases in Ekiti. The Government of Biodun Oyebanji doesn’t want untimely death of any citizen.
“Available statistics by local and global organisations rated Ekiti as having the highest life expectancy in Nigeria and we shouldn’t compromise our health issues to reduce this good rating.
“We appeal to you to always comply, health is wealth. If you are in good health condition, you won’t be spending the monies meant for children’s school fees, building new houses and eat good food on health crisis.
“This programme is for your own good and for the good of Ekiti. Let there be improved compliance by February.”