The people of Eleme Local Government Council have joined the world to mark the Global Hand Washing day.
The event which took place at the LGA Headquarters, Nchia was organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development in collaboration with Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) on Monday.
In her speech, the Rivers State Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural Development Hon. Patricia Simon-Hart said the Global Hand Washing Day is a global practice which must be imbibe by the people of the state.
Hon. Simon-Hart stated that the practice of hand washing with soap tops the international hygiene agenda which started since October 2008.
She said the choice of Eleme for the Global Hand washing this year is to teach all especially the school children the importance of hand washing with soap which will eliminate the transmission of diseases. She said “Hands often act as vectors that carry disease causing pathogens from persons to person, either through direct contact or indirectly via surface.”
She further explained that when hands are not properly wash with soap, hands that have been contacted with human or animal feaces, bodily fluids like nasal excretions and contaminated food or water can transport bacteria, viruses and parasite which are dangerous to human health.
The Commissioner maintained that the key target audience is children in both primary and secondary schools which are agents of change. The purpose of Global Hand Washing Day is to raise awareness and promote hand washing with school children and partners.
In his welcome address, the chairman of Eleme LGA, Hon. Oji N. Ngofa expressed joy for the Ministry of Water Resources for choosing the council to mark the 2013 Hand washing day.
In an interview with journalists shortly after the event the Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural Development, Hon. Simon-Hart said the event was to inculcate the idea of washing of hands and sensitize the school children and the people that washing of hands are important after toilet which is part of our hygiene practice.
She said government has also provided water scheme in 43 communities in Eleme in 5 clans and the quality of water provided in clean especially when there are lot of contamination of water in the Ogoni region.
The chairman of council, Hon. Orji Ngofa said he thanked the State Government for commissioning the water projects, especially the good drinking water and that people should understand how to use the good water provided to better their life most especially on the Global Hand Washing day.###
