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‘We’ll partner govts to keep environment clean’
By Tajudeen Adebanjo
The Cleaning Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CPAN) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with governments to keep external spaces clean, green and safe for all, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
CPAN’s President Tunde Ayeye, at a media parley ahead the World Environment Day, said the move was coming following the association’s impact on the internal space.
This year’s World Environment Day is themed ‘Ecosystem Restoration’.
Ayeye stressed that cleaning staff should be regarded as frontliners as their roles in keeping the environment clean and safe cannot be over-emphasised. He added that they should be considered in the payment of government- approved minimum wage for workers nationwide.
The president explained that to ensure international best practices, CPAN is developing Diploma and Certificate courses for its members, build the National Cleaning Standards for cleaning services nationwide, and partner the Federal Government on the clean-up Nigeria initiative which falls under the WASH Programme.
Vice President of CPAN Bisola Runsewe said to mark this year’s World Environment Day, the association would be launching its ‘Clean Up, Green Up Crusade’ in partnership with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) which is focused on cleaning the environment through recycling.
According to Runsewe, the crusade would help tackle flooding caused by poor waste disposal and management, reduce defects caused by chemical plastic, create more jobs, increase revenue generation, and ensure manufacturing and conservation of valuable resources.
She also highlighted CPAN’s role in achieving a cleaner and greener society to include ensuring detailed cleaning and sanitation standards, development of biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products, educating the public on the need for recycling and sorting of waste from the source, by using colour coded bins and bags among others.
Secretary of CPAN’s Committee on 2021 World Environment Day, Inara George, said the association supports suspension of the monthly sanitation day by the Lagos State government. According to him, cleaning should not be limited to one day in the month, but a daily habit to promote healthy living.
CPAN is the umbrella body for providers of cleaning and allied services in Nigeria.
