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, aiming to prevent cholera outbreaks.
The initiative, announced by the Lagos State Chapter Chairperson of APWEN, Mrs. Atinuke Owolabi, targets the deteriorating and hazardous living conditions in the Aiyetoro, Makoko community, which are conducive to cholera outbreaks. Owolabi, an engineer, emphasized that the project was necessary due to the poor sanitation and lack of clean water in the area, posing severe health risks not only to the community but to the larger society due to interconnected waterways.
APWEN’s effort, spearheaded by its Young Engineers who advocate for Sustainable Development Goal VI (Clean Water and Sanitation), involved sensitizing residents through a workshop on preventing cholera. The association discovered that the community lacks potable water and adequate toilet facilities, critical needs that heighten the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
“Until every community is safe from cholera, none of us is,” said Owolabi, underscoring the importance of collective safety due to constant interactions in public spaces like buses and markets. APWEN, in collaboration with WaterAid, is committed to intervening in the situation by providing support and resources to improve the community’s living conditions.
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The initiative also involves empowering the community to maintain cleanliness. According to Owolabi, while they have estimated a need for N350,000 to address some major issues, APWEN will contribute whatever resources they can to ensure the success of the project.
“The waterways at Aiyetoro are linked to Epe, Ikorodu, and Iwaya, among others, which could lead to a disaster in the event of a cholera outbreak,” Owolabi added, highlighting the broader implications of the initiative.
Beyond the immediate cleanup, APWEN has pledged to provide ongoing support, including scholarships for girls interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and empowerment programs for individuals to improve their living standards. This support is contingent upon the community’s commitment to maintaining a clean environment.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr Adebayo Alao, Head of the Lagos Programme at WaterAid, emphasized the importance of good hygiene and noted that this was the start of an ongoing sanitation campaign in Aiyetoro. He announced plans for the Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman to appoint 50 residents as environmental sanitation officers, who will be empowered by WaterAid and supported by the Yaba Local Council Development Area to enforce proper sanitation practices.
WaterAid, according to Alao, is committed to sponsoring innovative engineering solutions that will significantly improve the lives of the Aiyetoro community.
Ms. Mary Afolayan, a past chairperson of APWEN Lagos, encouraged residents to maintain their environment for their well-being. She reiterated that while APWEN and other organizations can offer support, the success of the initiative ultimately depends on the community’s dedication to keeping their environment clean.
Oyebade Ali, Baale of Aiyetoro community, expressed gratitude for the timely intervention and assured that the residents are committed to achieving a cleaner community. The sanitation and waterways cleanup began at the Baale’s residence, symbolizing the community’s dedication to the initiative.
