By Edet Otto
The recent decision by the Nigerian government to reassign the responsibility for sanitation from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR) has sparked a crucial debate regarding the optimal placement of sanitation within the governmental structure. This move necessitates a careful examination of the rationale behind the decision and its potential implications. In this context, this analysis seeks to justify why sanitation should continue to be a vital component of the Ministry of Environment, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental issues, the expertise required, and the broader implications for public health and environmental sustainability, as well as the potential drawbacks associated with transferring sanitation to the Ministry of Water Resources and emphasizing the risk of overburdening an already crucial ministry with a complex and multifaceted additional mandate. The Ministry of Environment has played a pivotal role in addressing environmental challenges holistically. Sanitation, undeniably, is an integral part of environmental management. The addition of sanitation to this already substantial portfolio of tasks raises several important considerations regarding its potential negative impact and probable reasons why sanitation should remain under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment.
First, in keeping with policy alignment, the National Environmental (Sanitation and Wastes Control) Regulations, 2009 (FMEVN, 2009), provide a legal framework for environmental sanitation in Nigeria and also places this task on the shoulders of the Ministry of Environment. Thus, keeping sanitation under the purview of the Ministry of Environment ensures policy coherence and facilitates effective implementation of these regulations. Also, sanitation as a key component of the environment reflects our commitment to International Standards
More so, environmental management is characterized by a multifaceted approach, encompassing various aspects such as pollution control, waste management, and sustainable development initiatives. Sanitation forms an inseparable thread within this intricate tapestry, as it significantly influences the overall quality of the environment. The retention of sanitation in the Ministry of Environment, no doubt will foster the prioritization of public health by implementing effective sanitation measures and promoting hygiene practices, as sanitation is closely linked to public health outcomes such as such as cholera and typhoid fever, as well as vector-borne diseases like malaria, all which are close link to poor environmental sanitation, indicating that the Ministry of Environment is better equipped to address these public health concerns within the broader context of environmental protection. The removal of sanitation from the Ministry of Environment could potentially disrupt the integrated approach required to tackle these interconnected challenges effectively.
Additionally, the Ministry of Environment has historically demonstrated a wealth of expertise and experience in dealing with sanitation-related issues. These include waste management strategies, sewage treatment processes, and the management of public health concerns stemming from inadequate sanitation infrastructure. For instance, sanitation practices directly impact the environment, including water bodies, soil quality, and air pollution. As such, the Ministry of Environment has the expertise and mandate to address these environmental concerns and develop sustainable sanitation solutions, due to its technical expertise and mandate in environmental management, as they have the necessary knowledge and experience to address the complex challenges associated with sanitation, including waste management, pollution control, and public health considerations. Hence, shifting this responsibility to the Ministry of Water Resources may result in a loss of specialized knowledge and hinder the development of comprehensive solutions.
Moreover, sanitation plays a pivotal role in safeguarding public health. It is a frontline defense against the spread of diseases and is indispensable for ensuring access to clean and safe living conditions. These public health considerations are intricately linked to environmental protection, making the Ministry of Environment the logical choice to oversee sanitation issues within the broader context of environmental and public well-being.
However, the decision to reassign sanitation to the water resource ministry will only create more challenges than good. For example, the addition of this vast component to the already burgeoning responsibilities of the water resource ministry will likely cause a dilution of focus, since the FMWR already has a wide range of responsibilities related to water management, including water supply, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation. Adding sanitation to their portfolio will only dilute focus and divert resources away from these critical areas, which may lead to suboptimal performance, as different aspects of sanitation may not receive the dedicated attention and expertise they require. Similarly, there is a possible challenge of resource allocation as it juggles between water-related initiatives and sanitation responsibilities, the latter of which often require substantial financial and human resources, and could potentially divert attention and resources away from critical water management efforts.
Nonetheless, as documented in the National Environmental Sanitation Policy (2005), sanitation is an interdisciplinary issue that requires collaboration between various sectors, including health, water resources, and urban planning (FMENV, 2005). Reassigning sanitation to a ministry primarily focused on water resources may hinder the seamless collaboration necessary for addressing complex, multi-faceted environmental issues. Thus, reemphasizing the fact that the Ministry of Environment is well-positioned to facilitate this collaboration and ensure an integrated approach to sanitation management, in the context of broad expertise and primary responsibilities.
In summary, maintaining sanitation within the Ministry of Environment is essential to preserving the holistic and interconnected nature of environmental management. It leverages the Ministry’s specialized expertise, safeguards public health, and facilitates comprehensive policy integration. Furthermore, it allows for effective stakeholder engagement and transparency in addressing sanitation-related challenges. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Water Resources plays a crucial role in managing water-related concerns, adding sanitation to its responsibilities can overburden the ministry, potentially leading to resource allocation challenges, fragmented focus, and conflicts of interest. This reassignment may also limit their capacity to specialize in both areas and hinder collaborative efforts with other ministries. Hence, careful deliberation is necessary to strike a balance between optimizing governmental functions and ensuring the efficient management of critical issues such as water and sanitation in Nigeria.
Edet Otto is a PhD student of Department of Environmental Health Science, Kwara State University and Staff of Dept of Environmental Health Science, Ajayi Crowther University. Oyo. Oyo State
