World Clean up Day: BASEPA Partners BIK Foundation, others on Environmental Sanitation/Hygiene in Bauchi

By Bashir Hassan Abubakar

Towards maintaining clean environment and further re-creating awareness on environmental hygiene in Bauchi State, the State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) in collaboration with a Civil Society Organization (CSO), Barrister Ibrahim Kashim (BIK) Foundation and other partners have carried out a cleaning exercise to mark this year’s World Clean-Up Day 2022.

A news item monitored by our correspondent on the facebook page of the Media Aide to the DG BASEPA, Isyaka Laminu Badamasi, said that, as part of activities marking the day, BASEPA, BIK and other partners flagged up the symbolic cleaning exercise in Bakaro community refuse dumpsite on Saturday morning and also carried out a door-to-door awareness campaign on environmental hygiene within the neighbourhood.

Shortly after the flag up exercise, BASEPA, under the leadership of it’s Director General Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, some members of the BIK Foundation and other partners in the exercise then proceeded to the conference hall of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Bauchi State Council for a panel discussion on the significance of environmental sanitation and hygiene.

Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, DG BASEPA, answering questions from journalists

Declaring the discussion panel open, the DG of the Agency, Dr. Kabir expressed his happiness with the collaboration between his Agency and BIK Foundation to mark the day, which he said was an indication that we are getting things right.

“When Youths organisations began to understand the importance of environment and even trying to celebrate it in a colourful manner, it is a clear indication that we are beginning to get it right”, he said.

The DG then commended BIK Foundation and other partners for finding the environmental sector worthy of celebration and participation in the symbolic exercise.

Dr. Kabir also lauded the presence of officials from EHORECON, NAGGW, OXFAM and MEDA. Other partners include, the WEAID Initiative, Dan Garba and Haidar Care Foundations and the Bauchi State council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists that hosted the panel of discussion.

Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, during the panel discussion

Earlier in an opening remark, the CEO of BIK Foundation, represented by one of the Non Executive Directors of the Foundation, Rasul Muhammad Kashim said, the foundation is a community based organisation that works towards multi-sectoral improvement of the lives, well being and living standards of the people.

He said some of their key areas of competence are focused on youths and women empowerment and the inclusion of people with disabilities, inclusive health, advocacy and community engagement to achieve sustainable results. Other areas according to the CEO of BIK revolves around critical decisions making process and also deepening relationship and trust between government, organisations and communities.

“Waste generation has become inevitable and to address the issue, there is need for the coming together of relevant partners and stakeholders to ensure that our environment is clean for the betterment of all. This has informed the decision of KIB Foundation to celebrate the world clean up day. Also, part of the activities earmarked are targeted towards sensitising the general public on the importance of cleanliness across the entire state”, said Kashim.

BIK Foundation members and other partners during the clean up exercise

During the discussion, the Director General of BASEPA highlighted some of the Agency’s achievement in waste management through the Municipal Solid Waste Management Framework (MSWMF), developed by the Agency, which he said contributed a lot in keeping the state clean and healthy.

He also revealed that the Agency has cancelled unsuitable collection centres, construction of model ones, introduction of service providers, banning the dumping of refuse by the roadside and the introduction of street waste vendors.

Dr.Kabir also informed that the Agency in collaboration with UNICEF and other key stakeholders have developed  a draft guidelines for managing faecal sludge in the state which will form part of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Framework.

On his part, one of the discussant, Dr. Hassan Shuaibu Musa talked on clinical waste, which, he said are classified as infectious and the most hazardous.

The medical practitioner also talked about diseases that directly relates to the environment which include Cholera, Malaria, Typhoid fever among others and called for stronger partnership to ensure that health facilities are patients- friendly to ensure good health for all.

The discussions also featured questions and answers sessions from invited participants and panel of discussants.

 

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