Keeping clean: The NNPC/MPN example

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

Cleanliness is best viewed as a fundamental environmental manage ment process that puts unwanted matter in its proper place or where it does not cause harm or adverse effects. Our desire for a clean environment represents a powerful sense of destiny and hope for the future as maintaining cleanliness not only provides comfort, it also impacts on infection control. 

In this age of environmental concern, individuals are interested in the healthy state of their surroundings. As populations increases, we become more connected with our environment that we cannot isolate ourselves from the earth’s natural processes and our immediate environment- whether it be natural or built. Every element of our existence is derived from our surroundings. The environment heals us and helps us stay healthy. While medicines are derived from the elements of the environment and living organisms, sometimes, simply being exposed to sunlight and fresh, clean air makes a difference in how we feel. 

Our surroundings educate us. Science and Technology are the products of observing, studying and using the physical, chemical and biological world around us.

The environment fulfils us when it is used to recreate, apply our sciences and practice our arts. Its natural resources and energy also serve as a unique means of capital, allowing us to run our businesses and the economy. 

The environment whether natural or built is a unique form of capital that produces financial, human, technological and environmental income and wealth which are all essential to business and human existence. But the environmental concern of late has been the extent to which human interaction with natural systems is depleting life-sustaining resources. While valid, this concern is not critical. Industrialised societies often perceive the environment as a free good; an expendable, renewable source. Others consider the environment a dumping ground or limitless sink for the diseconomies of wastes of living and individual operations. This “dumping ground” has now been replaced by “green and clean”.

Despite the fact that today’s public is very much aware of the environment and its effects on the health and comfort of human beings, our streets and roadsides are still being clad with debris and rubbish, and water ways have long taken the functions of waste bins. The stench of the odour from refuse heaps in public places, and its gradual encroachment into main roads and walkways have been responsible for the high rate of mosquito, rodents and other pests’ invasion into residential apartments, even in broad daylight. Thus, when the NNPC/MPN joint venture intervened in the sanitization of these places by proving aids and physical tools for practical sanitation last week, Uyo’s urban Market and the abattoir at Ntak Inyang made their priority.
These business places have no doubt attracted wide patronage since inception and have brought about a tremendous pool of commerce due to the convergence of those concerned in commercial activities. 

However, the struggle to keep clean has been an issue with them. From the unauthorised parking and selling of items in restricted areas to the dumping of refuges and sewages in all places, the markets totally defies neatness. Strangely, consumers who are frequent at the market are not the least bothered by the deplorable condition of the markets which is detrimental to their health. Perhaps, a reaction to the appalling condition of the markets by a joint force of consumers would have by now; put an end to the eyesore. But alas, no one seems to find anything unhealthy about the markets. 

The Fire Service area of the Akpan Andem market by the Udoumana entrance is a worse representation of oddity as it defies all appearances of cleanliness. Sellers and buyers walk through dirty stinking mud to access stores and other destinations. The same goes for the Ndiya entrance where heaps of rubbishes lie graciously on the road meant for pedestrians after being over-filled with sewages. It is characteristic of the market to find a number of sellers seated on clothings beside heaps of refuse with their goodies sprawled before them. Some even display their wares on the thick mucus of mud splashed around for carefree buyers. 

Another sorry and disgusting sight is the lackadaisical movement of people in and out of the muddied market with no amount of precariousness or conscientiousness that one would be so lucky to have visited the market and returned without splashes of mud on their shopping bags, their legs and clothes. 

Sellers carry out their activities with glee not minding the stench and distasteful look of it and are always ready to scoup and pour a portion of it at cunny buyers.

One of the developmental strategies of a market is in its ability to keep clean and stay hygienic but Akpan Andem market and the Abattoir do not meet-up this. Except the structures, everything about Akpan Andem market is distasteful. The gutters, the roadsides, the parks, and what have you. 

With the NNPC/MPN joint venture intervention, it is believed that sanity will soon return to the markets as equipments have been donated to the market authorities to ensure that routine sanitization activities are kept regularly.
Man cannot live and survive amidst wastes. A clean environment that includes clean air, water, land and energy is essential for human existence; conducting businesses and creating wealth. These components must be sustained through conservation and proper management. 

Effective and continuous cleaning reduces exposures to hazardous matter, thereby reducing risks while contribution to a sanitary state. Cleanliness should therefore be a collective responsibility where all hands must be seen on the deck. Companies and organizations should tow the NNPC/NPN example by partnering the state environment ministry for a clean and green environment as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. 

The markets authorities should strictly see to the observation of cleanliness much as well as the host communities. Influential Community leaders should also be involved in sanitation to provide guidance to the public on the importance of keeping the environment clean as well as schedule for clean-up activities. The government is doing its best and is encouraged to remain committed to the emptying of trashes in neighbourhoods. Provision should however be for areas needing more trash containers. 

Together, we can see to the achievement of a disease-free environment where environmental challenges will be as good as forgotten.