By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) in the launch of the Environmental Surveillance Programme (ESPN).
During a courtesy visit by NCDC delegates led by Prof. Olatunji Kolawole, Consultant on Needs Assessment, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, emphasised the vital link between environmental sustainability and public health.
Wahab stated, “The Health and Environment sectors are inseparable. This multi-sectoral approach to disease control is a welcome development.”
The Environmental Surveillance Programme aims to establish a comprehensive environmental monitoring system in Lagos. This system will help detect outbreak-prone pathogens, track endemic disease patterns, support clinical surveillance, and inform vaccination strategies.
The commissioner highlighted the government’s readiness to collaborate with the NCDC, noting that improving the environment will significantly reduce health sector challenges. He said, “If we address the fundamental issues in our environment, we will significantly alleviate the pressure on our health system.”
Wahab further emphasised the role of environmental health in preventing epidemics, referencing Lagos’ success in managing past outbreaks such as cholera through joint efforts with the Ministry of Health. “What the environment cannot address ultimately manifests as a challenge in the health sector,” he added.
The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources is working with agencies such as LASEPA, LAWMA, and LASWMO to ensure the smooth implementation of the ESPN project. Lagos is one of the five pilot states chosen for Phase 2 of the programme and is preparing to allocate the necessary resources to ensure effective environmental surveillance.
Prof. Kolawole expressed his appreciation for the state’s cooperation, stating, “This collaboration will be instrumental in achieving the project’s objectives and ensuring a healthier environment for all Lagosians.”
Key officials from various agencies, including the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services, Engr. Mahamood Adegbite, and the General Managers of LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi, and LASWMO, Engr. Femi Afolabi, also attended the meeting. This visit marks the beginning of further collaboration between state and federal health agencies in tackling environmental health challenges.