In its unwavering commitment to combating a possible cholera outbreak in Lagos State, especially in flood-prone areas, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Government of Japan, has sensitised informal food and water vendors, as well as waste workers, in the state.
The event, held at the Lagos City Centre, Sura, Lagos Island, is part of the UNIDO Project 240236, themed “Emergency Capacity Building of Informal Food and Water Vendors and Waste Workers in Flood-Affected Lagos to Combat Cholera Outbreaks.”
Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Tajudeen Gaji, who spoke at the event, emphasised the health risks associated with cholera, identifying key symptoms to include stooling, vomiting, dehydration, and fatigue that may lead to death if not addressed swiftly.
Gaji, who was represented by Mrs Aina Falaye, noted that cholera is commonly caused by contaminated food and water, underscoring the importance of proper environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, and safe food and water handling practices. He recommended boiling of water before consumption, separating cooked and raw food, refrigerating perishables, and discarding spoiled items properly.
The permanent secretary stressed that waste, when managed properly, could be converted into useful organic fertiliser, hence the need not to throw away things carelessly.
He also emphasised the role of young people as change agents in their communities and encouraged the attendees to act as trainers in their respective areas.
He, however, urged them to containerise the wastes and manage floodwaters responsibly, warning that stagnant water can lead to disease outbreak and environmental degradation.
In his welcome address, General Manager of LASEPA, Dr Tunde Ajayi, explained that the sensitisation is an international partnership with UNIDO for cholera prevention, funded by the government of Japan. He said that during last year’s cholera outbreak, the Lagos State Government sought the assistance of UNIDO in strengthening the state’s efforts in cholera prevention, especially in the flood-prone areas of the state.
Ajayi said that food and water vendors had been identified as key players in the transmission cycle, as many of them were found to use contaminated water in food and beverage preparation.
“Through this initiative, vendors and waste workers are being trained on safe food handling, water purification, and proper sanitation techniques,” he stated He added that the campaign had already covered Ikorodu and now Lagos Island, with plans to reach other local councils in the coming months
The Attaché, Development Cooperation, Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Fuka Furutani, affirmed the Japanese Government’s commitment to supporting health resilience and sustainable development in Nigeria.
She commended the leadership of UNIDO and LASEPA, noting that available data indicated that Lagos State alone accounted for about 43 per cent of all suspected cholera cases in Nigeria in 2024. Furutani reiterated Japan’s dedication to supporting vulnerable communities, especially in times of health crises.
The Field Coordinator of UNIDO, Charles Uzoma, provided an overview of the project and its impact, noting that Lagos experienced yearly cholera outbreaks due to some challenges, such as flooding, climate change, poor sanitation, and inadequate access to clean water.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had introduced oral cholera vaccines but emphasised that awareness and hygiene education remained crucial. He said that the project aimed at equipping communities with knowledge on safe water handling, proper waste disposal, and hygiene practices.
Uzoma revealed that 1,651 cholera cases were recorded in Lagos State last year, which necessitated the intervention, funded by Japan and executed in partnership with LASEPA and the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, targeted at strengthening the state’s emergency response and reducing the impact of infectious diseases.
The Iyaloja of Sura Market, Raliat Adebayo, commended the state government and partners for the sensitisation efforts. She acknowledged the major challenge of clean water access in Lagos Island but appreciated the state’s efforts in providing toilet facilities and improving sanitation infrastructure.
She praised LASEPA, UNIDO, and the Government of Japan for their proactive approach and affirmed that the markets, under her jurisdiction, remained clean and had not been closed down for environmental violations in the last one year.
