By Favour Ulebor

Abuja— The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), has launched a Digital Data Centre aimed at transforming environmental health management and enhancing service delivery across the country.

Speaking during the inauguration of the facility, on Wednesday in Abuja, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the project is a major stride towards efficient governance and technological integration in public administration.

Represented by Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, he noted that the project aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes innovative governance, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

“This is not just a new facility; it is a testament to EHCON’s commitment to innovation and sustainability,” He said.

He emphasized that the Centre will serve as a rallying point for improved data-driven decision-making, transparency, and collaboration among stakeholders in the environmental health sector.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to digitalizing processes in all its agencies to ensure seamless communication and effective service delivery.

“This initiative underscores our vision for environmental sustainability and inclusive governance,” he added.

Also speaking, EHCON’s Registrar, Yakubu Mohammed Baba, described the Centre as a “child of necessity” and a solution to long-standing inefficiencies in service delivery.

He said the platform allows civil servants to process documents remotely, reducing time spent in offices, while practitioners and organizations can complete registration and license renewal processes within 24 to 48 hours.

The National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar, praised the initiative, noting its role in fostering federal-state collaboration with support from 19 northern states, the FCT, and the World Bank.

He highlighted additional benefits such as the integration of distance learning modules and the production of security documents as revenue streams.

The Country World Health Organization, WHO Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi represented by its National Technical Officer for Public Health and Environment, Edwin Isotu Edeh, called the project a “transformative step” that will address climate change challenges, unlock value chains, and create job opportunities while improving public health outcomes.