The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Government of Japan, has extended its statewide cholera prevention campaign to the Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
The sensitization and capacity-building exercise is a core component of Project 240236, titled “Emergency Capacity Building of the Informal Food and Water Vendors and Waste Workers in Flood-Affected Lagos to Combat Cholera Outbreaks.” The initiative aims to equip informal food handlers, water vendors, and waste workers with the practical knowledge necessary to curb the spread of waterborne diseases.
The Badagry event marks the eighth session in the series, following previous workshops held in Lagos Island, Alimosho, Ojo, Kosofe, Ikorodu, and Lagos Mainland. Held at the Custom Quarters in Seme Border, the program drew a diverse group of stakeholders, including artisans, market leaders, students, and environmental health officials.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of LASEPA, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, noted that the agency’s role involves identifying contamination sources and strengthening public awareness regarding pollution prevention. He commended the international partners for their support and emphasized that environmental health enforcement would be intensified to ensure compliance with sanitation regulations.
“The project emphasises direct community engagement to ensure that critical health messages are understood and adopted at the grassroots level,” Dr. Ajayi said.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, represented by Mr. Olusegun Denasohin, warned participants that cholera remains a significant threat capable of causing rapid fatalities. He identified open defecation, improper wastewater disposal, and lack of potable water as primary risk factors for outbreaks.
Representing the Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, the Director of Environmental Health Services, Mrs. Sesi Okoosi-Adepoju, lauded the sustainable development efforts driven by the partnership. She specifically acknowledged the role of waste pickers and food handlers in maintaining hygiene within flood-prone communities.
While expressing appreciation for the sensitization drive, the Baale of Ogblogbo, Chief Bokoh Jacob, represented by Mr. Haruna Abdullahi, appealed to the state government to improve local infrastructure. He noted that many residents currently rely on well water and urged for the provision of pipe-borne water to further safeguard public health.
The event concluded with interactive sessions focused on safe food handling and proper waste management practices, particularly during the rainy season.
