The seventh version of the State of the Nigerian Setting (STONE) report has revealed that no fewer than 179 million individuals in Nigeria dwell in unclean environments.
This represents an enchancment in comparison with 183 million recorded in 2023.
The report, signed by Mr. Ene Owoh, Nationwide Coordinator of Clear-Up Nigeria (CUN), was made out there to the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
In line with Owoh, the examine’s indicators are designed to advertise complete environmental insurance policies concentrating on governments in any respect ranges and residents.
“The 2024 zonal score has vital deserves and is anticipated to enhance Nigeria’s nationwide cleanliness index score,” Owoh said.
Progress and setbacks in sanitation
He famous a slight enchancment in decreasing open defecation, which dropped from 24% in 2023 to twenty% in 2024.
Nonetheless, he highlighted a decline in waste recycling efforts, which fell from 26% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, attributing the drop to rising poverty ranges.
“Nigeria’s sanitation state of affairs is a blended bag,” Owoh mentioned, emphasizing the significance of environmental cleanliness and sustainable waste administration.
States main in hygiene practices
The findings additionally revealed that solely seven states demonstrated good private hygiene and sanitation practices amongst their residents, underscoring the necessity for broader enhancements in environmental and public well being efforts.
- Owoh introduced that the annual Cleanliness Efficiency Index ranked Akwa Ibom and Abuja because the cleanest states in Nigeria, demonstrating their dedication to environmental sustainability.
“Akwa Ibom lately unveiled vital waste administration gear upgrades alongside efforts to enhance citizen sanitation, providing priceless insights for different states to emulate,” he famous.
- In line with Owoh, who can also be the Secretary of the Nationwide Technical Examine Group (NTSG), the zonal emphasis fosters regional integration, making the competitors extra related to native environments. The cleanliness index score goals to deal with particular challenges in every state and drive optimistic modifications for a cleaner and extra sustainable Nigeria.
“The zonal method will facilitate interstate collaboration and partnerships, encouraging states to undertake efficient methods to deal with their distinctive environmental challenges and work in direction of a more healthy nation,” Owoh said.
Zonal champions for 2024
He additionally introduced the six zonal cleanest state champions for 2024, as acknowledged by the Cleanliness Efficiency Index chaired by Prof. Solomon Balogun, Chairman of the STONE NTSG. The champions embrace:
- South-South: Akwa Ibom
- South-East: Enugu
- South-West: Lagos
- North-Central: Plateau
- North-East: Borno
- North-West: Kaduna
“These states have been awarded the distinguished STONE Inexperienced Crystal Award for his or her achievements. Highlighting successes and challenges inside every zone evokes residents to take higher accountability for his or her native environments,” Owoh added.
Selling wholesome competitors for a cleaner Nigeria
The zonal score, backed by six years of efficient knowledge assortment and evaluation (2018–2023), promotes wholesome competitors and self-improvement amongst states.
- This method drives focused interventions and showcases finest practices, finally enhancing environmental cleanliness and sustainability throughout Nigeria.
- Owoh defined that the zonal rankings provide a extra correct evaluation of strengths and weaknesses inside every zone, permitting states to benchmark their efficiency towards each other.
He assured that this method would foster wholesome competitors, encourage self-improvement, and drive focused interventions to implement and showcase finest practices.
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