Kwara State Government Partners With Unicef To End Open Defecation

The Kwara State Government, North Central Nigeria has expressed its readiness to collaborate with UNICEF, or any donor agency to eradicate open defecation in the state.

The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Usman Yunusa Lade gave the assurance when the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Wash Specialist, Mrs. Theressa Pammer, paid him a courtesy call in his office in Ilorin, the state capital.

*N200m set aside to provide toilets*

The Commissioner disclosed that the state government had set aside the sum of 200 million Naira to provide toilets and other wash facilities in the health, educational institutions and market places within the state.

According to him, the state government has recently flagged off campaign against open defecation as part of the state government’s efforts to educate, enlighten and sensitize the public on the need to have toilet facilities in their domains.

He emphasized that the state and national assembly members from the state have been contacted on the need to compliment the efforts of the state government, by providing wash facilities in their constituencies in order to eradicate open defecation across the state.

He also used the opportunity to appeal to well-meaning individuals, organizations, and non-governmental organizations to assist the state in this direction.

Earlier, the UNICEF Wash Specialist from Kaduna office, Mrs. Theressa Pammer briefed the management of the Ministry that she was in the state to see how her organization would be able to support the state in eliminating open defecation.

Mrs. Pammer noted that the percentage of people consuming contaminated water and practising open defecation in the state was alarming, pointing out that stringent measures must be taken to put an end to the practice in the state.

She disclosed that education institutions, health centres, and other public places across the state, were expected to have been provided with Wash facilities, stressing that hygiene is key to any healthy environment.

The UNICEF Wash Specialist urged the state government to work towards 100 per cent drinkable water supply to the people of the state, noting that the state has what it takes to set a pace for others to emulate.

She, however, reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to continue to assist the state in this regard.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Christiana Asonibare appreciated the UNICEF Specialist for finding time to visit the state and the desire to assist the state government.

She called for a strong collaboration between UNICEF and the state government to move the state to greater heights.