Lagos State Government, yesterday, said that between January and July 2024, 58 persons died from Cholera, saying that combating cholera is not just a government responsibility but also the active involvement of every stakeholder.
The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who spoke during the inauguration ceremony and inception meeting of the intervention project on emergency capacity building of the informal food and water vendors and waste workers in flood affected areas of Lagos State to combat cholera outbreak, commended the Japan government for funding the project to check the disease in the state, noting that in Nigeria, cholera remains a recurrent health crisis, with outbreak occurring almost yearly.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said: “The situation reflects broader global challenges, such as climate change, displacement due to conflicts, and rapid urbanisation without adequate infrastructure development. In 2021 alone, Nigeria recorded over 100,000 suspected cholera cases and more than 3,500 deaths across 32 states — a stark reminder of the urgency required to address the issue.”
The governor added that the initiative is a timely and critical intervention aimed at strengthening the emergency capacity of informal food and water vendors, as well as waste workers, in flood-affected areas of the state.
Sanwo-Olu further said that flood-induced water contamination, poor hygiene awareness among informal vendors and waste workers, inadequate waste management overwhelmed by floods, and weak enforcement of public health regulations are key drivers of the recurring cholera outbreak.
He stated that his administration remains steadfastly committed to safeguarding public health through robust environmental protection policies and strategic partnerships.
The governor, therefore, urged residents to report suspected cholera cases promptly to health authorities as timely interventions can save lives.
In his welcome address, General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Babatunde Ajayi, insisted that the state and the world at large would not grapple with a huge health burden if attention is paid to the environment.
He said that it is important that the residents are educated and enlightened about cholera, personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness.
Ajayi expressed optimism that the collaboration between the Lagos State government and Japan on checking cholera would lead to a better environment.
On his part, the Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Kozaki Hiroshi, disclosed that the Japanese government would provide $225,000 (N348 million) to the Lagos government to tackle the cholera outbreak.
