UNICEF pledges more support to end Open Defecation in Abuja by 2023

In a concerted effort to rid the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, of open defecation by 2023, the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) has pledged more support for communities within the nation’s capital to achieve the target ahead of a Presidential Executive Order by 2025.

UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria, Dr. Jane Bevan disclosed this during a field visit to some communities in Kwali area council.

Dr. Bevan stated that given the level of commitment and progress made in the FCT, the UN Agency will soon extend its intervention to public institutions by constructing toilets in schools and hospitals.

Dr. Bevan who was speaking while on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Kwali area council said the inspection team led by FCT RUWASSA were in Kwali to see how sanitary facilities were working in communities, markets and motor parks.

She urged the area council leadership to connect with the people and help them to utilize the opportunities available in the sanitation sector.

Dr. Bevan, who was in company of WHO and UNICEF officials from New York and Dakar as well as LIXIL: manufacturers of Sato Pans, reiterated the imperative of the mission to encourage local communities achieve basic sanitation ahead of the World Toilet Summit scheduled to hold in Abuja, November this year.

Joining the rest of the world

The Executive Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Mr. Danladi Chiya, thanked UNICEF and other international agencies under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources for choosing Kwali as one of the areas of their operations.

He affirmed that Kwali is determined to join the rest of the world to become free of open defecation.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of FCT RUWASSA, Dr. Mohammed Ali Dan-Hassan stated that the agency is appreciative of the council management, field officers and youths of Kwali for their zeal and commitment to the campaign.

Dr. Dan-Hassan further disclosed that RUWASSA is ready to support the WASH units of the area councils with motorcycles to enhance their outreach capacity and called on area vouncils to provide subsidies on sato pans to make them more affordable to the locals.

He also urged the leadership to keep setting the pace by showing more examples.

Compliance and cooperation

While at Tudun Fulani ward, the team was amazed at the high level of compliance and cooperation from the community as almost every household was found to be using improved latrines with clean and neat environments.

Addressing the community after the inspection, the Chief of WASH, Dr. Bevan described what she saw as a fantastic job and commended their efforts for overcoming their challenges.

“We are looking forward to seeing when Kwali would be declared open defecation free”, she noted.

Also giving her testimony, a Senior WASH Adviser of UNICEF in New York, Mrs. Ann Thomas commended the community for the progress made and stressed the need for everyone in the community to contribute towards making the locality free of open defecation.

She also urged them to stick to the hand washing practice especially among the children to build a healthy society, adding that UNICEF was into community engagements to achieve the universal goals in sanitation.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of Kwali, the Etsu of Kwali, Sha’aban Nzazo, appreciated what UNICEF and other agencies were doing in the area and assured of his readiness to give every support.

Other high points of the event included meeting with toilet business owners, visits to households where sato pans were installed, cultural display and entertainment.

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh