Lagos State Government has urged residents to embrace hygienic practices, following the outbreak of cholera in parts of the country.

A statement by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, said residents must not wait for the disease to spread to Lagos before taking precautions.

He said since cholera thrived in unhygienic conditions, practices such as open defecation, drinking of untreated water from unclean sources, improper disposal of refuse and non-washing of hands with soap must stop.

The commissioner appealed to the public to ensure that toilet facilities are provided at houses.

He said when not at home, public toilets or mobile toilets must be used.

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The statement said: “Tenements and property owners must prevent exposure of loose refuse. Waste must be properly bagged and disposed through approved Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.

“Lagos State Government is mindful of the large population, and has embarked on sensitisation campaigns to enlighten residents on the dangers of cholera outbreak. Such measures include door-to- door campaigns by environmental sanitation officers and public awareness campaigns at markets, public places and parks.

“These campaigns are also being stepped up in the mass media through jingles in English, Yoruba and Pidgin English to take the message to the nooks and crannies of the country. The state environmental police called the Task Force Against Open Defecation has been empowered to step up its monitoring activities and arrest anyone caught defecating in open places.”

Bello said the same directive applies to Kick Against Indiscipline operatives, who go round to enforce sanitation laws, especially as they affect hygiene in public places.