Governments at all levels have been urged to support the regulated pest control management for an enhanced healthy environment and safety of life.
The National President, Pest, Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) Mr Olakunle Williams stated this, stressing the need for governments across strata, to support his association, in its vision, to play a leading role in pest control and management.
Williams spoke during the briefing on Commemorating the World Pest Day in Lagos on Monday with the theme: “Essence of Pest Management in Public Health”.
The World Pest Day awareness was initiated by the Chinese Pest Control Association and Co-sponsored by the Federation of Asian and Oceanic Pest Management Association (FAOPMA).
He averred that if the different levels of government support the regulated pest management to take over the control of pests in the environment it would save lives and keep the environment healthier.
“We say today, Protect Nigeria Public health through professional pest management.
“We call attention to the big threats caused by small (tiny) pests.
“Government should promote the use of professional pest management (PECAN) in a scientific and socially responsible way.
“Government should also protect the professional image of the pest management industry and pest control associations of Nigeria.
He said that rats as a pest could be so troublesome and stubborn, saying that people use several home control methods like traps and chemicals to remove them from their premises.
The PECAN President said that members would clear the rats by using their National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which approved rodenticide to clear them without odour or endangering the environment.
According to him, the Global Pest Management Association, had over 30 associates driving that cause under it, adding that leaders in Pest Management were looking into potential threats caused by pests and finding solutions to eradicate them.
Also speaking in a zoom video, Niger Republic representative to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Edwin Isotu said that Pet control was a very important activity that keyed to the pest management in the environment.
Isotu urged pet control professionals to improve awareness of the danger in patronizing quackery to enable Nigerians to live in a healthy environment.
He advised that pets should be controlled in Nigeria by regulatory standards and procedures for more efficient operations.
Isotu said that there was need for pest control experts to expose themselves to a continuous learning approach which he said would help in building synergy and promote corporations among them.
In his own speech, the National Vice President of PECAN, Mr James Erond, during the vote of thanks said that awareness should be emphasized on professional pest control management.
He enjoined governments to pay more attention to pest control to enable professionals to take charge and make Nigerians to be healthier.
