By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
A Human Rights activist in Kogi State, Idris Miliki Abdul, Executive Director, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, (CHRCR), has called for a review of the sanitation laws in the state.
In a statement in Lokoja on Thursday, Miliki noted that Kogi state witness not less than ten thousand vehicles crossing the State on daily bases, which poses environment challenges because of human attitude due to negligence of basic hygiene.
Miliki maintained that as the new government in Kogi State under the leadership of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo settle down, there is the need to review the sanitation policy in the State, to reflect the current challenges.
“Kogi state witness not less than Ten Thousand vehicles crossing the State on daily bases, posing environment challenges because of human attitude due to negligence of basic hygiene.
“Lokoja the state headquarters host various market and motor parks, but the environment situation in those places is worrisome, as thy are unkept.
“We are also worried, it seems there is no demarcation between the Sanitation Board and the company expected to clean Lokoja Town.
“As in many occasions, the government vehicles are been used by private company engaged to clean the city.
“Worst of it all, is the unavailability of portable water in Kogi State, particularly in Lokoja that host both river Niger and Benue.
“It is condemnable that a state capital like Lokoja, will stay without water. Open defecation has assumed an alarming rate in Lokoja town and across the state.
“Refuse are scattered across the town, without the evacuation as at when due, worst of all is that refuses dump sites have remain unkept without proper management.
He called on the government to declare a state of Emergency on water and sanitation in Kogi State, without further delay.
“We recommend, specific date for cleaning specific market and all markets, which can not be done on the same day across board.
“This will not cost government beyond supervision, as all markets and motor parks should have a specific days and time for cleaning that will improve sanitation in those places.
We call stakeholders conference on environmental sanitation in Kogi state that will generate ideals on how to move this all important sector forward, that will include genuine professionals and relevant stakeholders.