The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) Lagos chapter, in collaboration with WaterAid, has launched an environmental and waterways sanitation initiative in the Aiyetoro, Makoko community of Lagos to prevent cholera outbreaks.

Atinuke Owolabi, chairperson, APWEN Lagos chapter, said this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

Mrs Owolabi, also an engineer, stated that the group also sensitised the residents through a workshop on the measures they must adopt to prevent an outbreak of cholera in the community.

She said that the association embarked on the project due to the deteriorated and hazardous living conditions of the community’s residents which may lead to cholera outbreak.

According to her, APWEN is not unaware that until every community is safe from cholera, none of us is, because we all exchange contact, either in the bus, market, public places, or anywhere possible.

Mrss Owolabi noted that the initiative was driven by the Young Engineers of APWEN Lagos, who are advocates for Sustainable Developmental Goals VI, which is Clean Water and Sanitation.

The engineer expressed worry that the visit of the association revealed that communities do not also have potable water and toilet facilities, which poses serious hazards to their health condition and by extension the larger society.

According to her, APWEN, in collaboration with WaterAid, has taken efforts to intervene in the situation by supporting them in whatever ways possible.

“The community has been tagged as vulnerable, so most people or associations only go there to give them food and clothing.

“As engineers, we decided to empower them and educate them on how to clean their environment and waterways and they have promised to do so and make the place conducive within two weeks.

“Although, from the estimate, they will need N350,000 to put some major things in place, we will support them with whatever we have as an association to get things done.

“This is important because the waterways at Aiyetoro are linked to Epe, Ikorodu, Iwaya, among others, which will be disastrous in the event of any outbreak,” she said.

According to the APWEN chairman, the association has promised to provide other additional support to the community if they are able to sustain a clean and healthy environment and waterways.

Mrs Owolabi said the support would include assisting students dropped out of school and empowering individuals with skills to improve their living standards.

She also mentioned that the association would offer scholarships to girls in the community with a passion for STEM, following a series of mentorship programmes.

The chairman appealed to well-meaning individuals and organisations to support APWEN’s efforts to address the critical environmental and health issue.

Commenting, Adebayo Alao, head, Lagos programme at WaterAid, stressed the importance of good hygiene.

Mr Alao noted that the initiative is not just a one-time cleanup effort but the beginning of an ongoing sanitation campaign for the residents of Aiyetoro.

He announced that the Community Development Association (CDA) chairman would appoint 50 residents as environmental sanitation officers in the area.

According to him, these individuals will be empowered by WaterAid, through the Yaba Local Council Development Area to enforce proper sanitation practices within the community.

Mr Alao assured that WaterAid remained committed to sponsoring engineering innovative solutions that could significantly improve the lives of the Aiyetoro community.

Also, Mary Afolayan, past chairman, APWEN Lagos, encouraged the residents to do the needful by keeping their community clean for their wellbeing.

Ms Afolayan stated that while APWEN and other voluntary organisations could support the community, the success of maintaining a clean environment ultimately depends on the residents’ commitment.

In his remark, Oyebade Ali, Baale of Aiyetoro community,  expressed gratitude to APWEN Lagos for initiating the timely and much-needed intervention, while pledging that the residents were fully committed to achieving a cleaner community.

The sanitation and waterways cleanup commenced at the Baale’s residence, symbolising the community’s commitment to the initiative.

(NAN)