Diseases outbreak: Gwarzo advises northern govs to revive environmental inspectors

THE Sarkin Tsaftan Kano, Alhaji Ja’afaru Gwarzo has urged northern governors to revive the use of environmental inspectors to curtail prevalent outbreak of diseases in the region.

Gwarzo, who is also the Senior Special Assistant on Sanitation to Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, gave the advice in Kano on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to him, most diseases in the region occur due to poor environment and sanitation habits, as such the environment inspectors would help to reduce the risks significantly.

He said that diseases such as Malaria, Typhoid, Meningitis, polio, cholera and others could be prevented if sanitation is observed.

Gwarzo said, “If the issue of sanitation is addressed, I don’t think there would be fear of an outbreak of diseases in our communities, not to talk of the procurement of drugs for treatment.

“With this measure, the environmental inspectors should always visit houses, markets and other public places to ensure that everywhere is kept clean.’’

According to him, it is the responsibility of the environmental health inspectors to ensure that construction of toilets close to water well and dumping of refuse is avoided.

Gwarzo added that the environmental health workers have the right to arrest and prosecute anyone found guilty of violating the sanitation laws and ethics.

He disclosed that the Kano state government has employed 1000 youths to assist the state Sanitation Vanguard in the enforcement of sanitation habits and laws in the state.