The Anambra State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barr. Chijioke Ojukwu, has directed environmental health officers in the state to prioritise food safety, abattoir sanitation and disease prevention, stressing that protecting public health should take precedence over excessive involvement in construction-related matters.
The commissioner gave the charge while receiving members of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Anambra State Chapter, at his office.
Barr. Ojukwu noted that the statutory responsibilities of environmental health officers extend beyond building inspections to critical areas such as food production, sanitation, environmental hygiene and the prevention of disease outbreaks.
According to him, the growing focus on construction activities has diverted attention from vital public health duties, particularly routine inspections of slaughterhouses, restaurants, fast-food outlets, markets and food processing centres.
He warned that poor sanitary conditions in these facilities could expose residents to avoidable health risks if left unchecked.
The commissioner also clarified that environmental health officers do not have the legal authority to seal construction sites, explaining that their role is limited to conducting environmental health assessments and issuing sanitary clearance required before building approvals are granted, while enforcement rests with the appropriate authorities.
Barr. Ojukwu urged the association to intensify inspections of food establishments and public facilities across the state, describing proactive environmental health surveillance as essential to safeguarding public health.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Ikechukwu Obasoanya, raised concerns over the limited involvement of environmental health officers in construction-related activities and highlighted the severe shortage of personnel across local government areas.
He disclosed that Idemili North Local Government Area currently has only three environmental health officers, describing the situation as inadequate for effective service delivery.
In response, the commissioner pledged stronger collaboration with the association and assured members that the state government would engage relevant authorities on the recruitment and deployment of more environmental health officers to strengthen public health services across Anambra.
