Lagos commences campaign to end open defecation

The Lagos State Government has commenced its ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign as part of efforts to meet the 2025 target for the eradication of open defecation nationwide. According to a press statement released on Tuesday by the Director of Public Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Kunle Adeshina, the campaign was flagged off on Tuesday in the Apapa Local Government Area of the state.

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Speaking during the flag-off, held at the Legislative Hall of Apapa Local Government, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji, said the campaign sought to promote the use of toilets and good hygiene practices in every community across the state.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by a Director in the office of Sanitation Services, Mr Babajide Adeoye, noted that the state government flagged off the campaign in the state during the 2020 World Toilet Day with a view to decentralising the campaign in all LGs/local council development areas.

According to the statement, the state government’s mandate to eradicate open defecation is embedded in Pillar One, Goal Two of the Lagos Resilience Strategy Document which focuses on “Improving access to clean water and sanitation” through four initiatives.

“The four initiatives were: provision of public toilets and bathrooms in each LGA and LCDA; construction of community wastewater treatment plants; developing an integrated waste management system; expanding and protecting water sources to improve the city’s water supply,” the statement said.

wumi/punch