The Nigerian Institute of Production Management- NIPM has condemned the activities of production organizations, both in the manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, energy, agricultural and mining sectors that impact negatively on health, safety and environment in contravention of laws, regulations and guidelines in the country.

Speaking at a workshop organized for manufacturing managers, engineers, supervisors and technicians on Water Treatment and Pollution Control, the President and Chairman of Council, NIPM Dr. Olaniyi Opanuga stated that the need to enforce the laws and regulations on Drinking Water   Quality, waste water treatment and control of environment pollution was crucial given their effects on  human lives and the environment.

“In the past the National Councils on Water Resources, Health and Environment came up with a mandate which culminated in the launching of the National Standard for Drinking Water Quality by the Federal Government in 2018” he said.

“This hopefully will deal with the challenge of poor water quality but as a corollary, general access to safe water and pollution reduction remain another hurdle”.

According to Dr Opanuga, Nigerians are faced with the threats of air, land and water pollution on a daily basis due to unbridled waste generation, treatment and disposal leading to untimely death, avoidable health challenges, destruction of aquatic resources and wildlife.

“NIPM is the association that was registered by the Federal Government to regulate the professional practice of production and operations management in Nigeria. Production includes all activities relating to agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mining, oil and gas, energy and services. Operations are global, involving all the sectors of the nation’s economy and include supply chain operations, logistical operations, environmental health operations et cetera” he remarked.

“When we abuse the environment what we are simply doing is abusing production and creating the problems of unsustainability. Pollution of air increases global warming and acid rain. You also kill the birds and create health problems for the people. When you pollute land you destroy the forest products and farm productivity comes down and the people are exposed to all kinds of diseases. When you pollute the water by dumping toxic and untreated wastes, you destroy aquatic lives and expose the people to water borne and allied transferred diseases” he said.

“Production is ubiquitous. You should not carry out your manufacturing activities at the expense of other production activities like farming and fishing for instance”.

He urged the Federal, State and Local governments and agencies responsible for regulating standards for water quality, sanitation and environmental health to intensify their monitoring and enforcement efforts to safeguard the consumers, the general public and the environment in the interest of all.