Environmental Sanitation

The perks of being a kid in a large community in the southeastern part of Nigeria is that you invariably have a large audience to bicker with, play with, or befriend. The last Saturday of every month was one we looked forward to. On such days, the streets are empty, the roads shut off to prevent movement, and the elders busy themselves with cleaning up the compounds and their surroundings, clearing the drainage, and mowing bushy paths. 

For us kids, this was a cherry time. It was the perfect time to assemble for our very own gathering while the elders worked. One thing that stood out on these days however was the beauty that came after the exercise: a once hidden path looking like a walkway, the well-drained gutters, the surroundings as new as the first time it was designed, the amazing communal essence and networking that goes on during this time. The newness grows on you and you begin to wonder why every day shouldn't be like this. Why does a day have to be assigned for us to take care of our environment?

Maybe many don't see or know its importance, so let's talk about environmental sanitation. 

Environmental sanitation encompasses a range of practices and measures to prevent the spread of diseases and maintain cleanliness, hygiene, and overall well-being in the environment. These practices including waste management, water sanitation, food security, and sewage management are crucial for preventing the spread of diseases, promoting public health, and ensuring a safe and habitable environment for communities. 

In March 1984, as part of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) scheme, Nigeria began observing every last Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. as environmental sanitation day. On this day, movement is restricted, and the roads are devoid of traffic as everyone works together to ensure their surroundings are kept neat. It has always been the day when the streets shine the brightest without rain coming for assistance. The refuse is gathered and properly disposed of. Countries like Sweden and the United States have no specific date but encourage and implement sanitation at all times. 

In recent times, such policies are no longer taken seriously. Some states have scrapped the monthly cleanup entirely from their itinerary. Lagos State restricted theirs as early as 2016, and Oyo State too in 2021. Reasons ranging from the three (3) hours of no movement being a restriction to the basic human rights, or due to the changing times, or the economic situations that should be addressed within those three (3) hours and how policies will be reviewed to ensure the environment is kept neat at all times. Even without these decisions of the government, the apathy of some individuals to the activities is very questionable as some individuals would rather have their environment neat without having to contribute to it. 

However, this exercise does not need to be recited to us like the country's anthem. It affects everyone. It's our surroundings, our homes, our health and well-being that we're ensuring by keeping to it. By clearing the drainage around us, we prevent the spread of diseases that find shelter in stagnant water. Proper disposal of waste ensures that our various water sources are not contaminated and equally reduces pollution. Sanitation also brings out the aesthetic value in the environment and makes it pleasing to the eye. It equally aligns with the sustainable development goals of the United Nations and improves the overall quality of life. 

If states are choosing to suspend the monthly sanitation then certain policies must be put in place to adapt to the changing times, after all,  sanitation shouldn't be restricted to a particular time but a daily activity. An environmental task force should be appointed to ensure compliance with this so that people do not trash the well-being of others. Penalties should be given to people who fail to tidy up after themselves. With this in mind, let us fight for our well-being and a cleaner environment. 

— Chukwudalu Abugu