Umahi praises Kano's sanitation drive, urges other states to copy it

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has praised Kano State's push to keep its streets and neighbourhoods clean, and asked other states to take a page from it.

Umahi gave the commendation at an All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting held at the Coronation Hall in Kano, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by Abubakar Ahmad, spokesman for the state's Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB).

Punch reported that the minister was in Kano ahead of the planned commissioning of the Kaduna-Kano Road.

The minister singled out Operation Kano Tsaf-Tsaf, the state's flagship sanitation programme, which encourages residents to keep their surroundings tidy and dispose of waste properly.

He said Kano had shown real commitment to cleanliness and that other states should follow its example to protect public health.

"I urge other states to emulate Kano's efforts, as environmental cleanliness is essential for public health and the well-being of residents," Umahi was quoted as saying in the statement.

Why it matters to residents

Clean surroundings are not just about looks. Poor waste disposal raises the risk of cholera, malaria and other illnesses that hit families hard, especially in crowded neighbourhoods.

The statement said the success of programmes like Tsaf-Tsaf depends on government agencies, sanitation workers and residents working together. It urged the state to keep the programmes running and to get more people involved in keeping Kano clean.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf's administration has continued to roll out sanitation activities and policies aimed at getting residents to handle waste responsibly.

The board also called on residents to back government policies meant to protect public health.

Umahi's remarks come as the state prepares for the Kaduna-Kano Road commissioning, a project under his ministry.