The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) and Pest Control Association of Nigeria have announced plans to prevent further damage to the environment and enhance the well being of individuals by sanitising the pest management practice.
Consequently, both bodies have perfected plans to arrest and prosecute individuals or companies who practice the profession without being duly registered.
Speaking at PECAN’S end of year gathering, held in Lagos recently, the president, Dr. Tokunbo Coker said, "Members of PECAN are professionals, who appreciate the fact that a clean and healthy environment is essential to the continued well being of humans, and that the primary duty and concern of PECAN members is to protect health of individuals against avoidable hazards and the environment from degradation a situation that could result from the provision of shady services."
He advised qualified pest control practitioners to register with EHORECON through PECAN while calling on individuals and corporate bodies to contract their jobs to only registered practitioners to avoid endangering the ecosystem by polluting the environment with hazardous chemicals.
President, Lagos Environmental Health Officers Council of Nigeria, Mr. Mike Shomoye, said "Rendering pest management services is not an all comers job it is for professionals and must only be practised by those trained in the art and duly registered with EHORECON."
He further stated that EHORECON’s partnership with PECAN is to enable it be in a position to effectively sift the grains from the shaft. He informed the guests that the fight against quacks is steadily gaining momentum and that the year 2009 will experience a full-blown war and that no effort will be spared in pursuing it.
Somoye advised cooperate bodies and individuals to be on their guards, this is because aside from prosecuting the quacks, cooperate bodies and individuals who engage them will be made to face the wrath of the EHORECON Act, no 11 of 2002.
Outlining PECAN’s plan for the 2009, Coker announced that the body plans to expand its operational base and launch their trade magazine. He disclosed that the association is aware of the dynamic nature of their profession and as such has drawn out plan to update our members with current development in the profession through regular in-house field talks, seminar or workshops. He urged members to show increased commitment and dedication towards attaining the aspirations of the association.