Nigerian Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has declared that the issue of open defecation in the country will no longer be tolerated, announcing plans to enforce sanitation laws and ensure everyone has access to safe toilets.
World Toilet Day 2024 Theme: “Toilets: A Place for Peace”.
Speaking at the 2024 World Toilet Day commemoration in Kano, organised by the federal ministry of environment in collaboration with the Kano state ministry of environment and climate change with supporting partners.
Represented by the ministry’s director, Pollution and environmental health, Bahija Abubakar, Lawal, emphasized the need for deliberate commitment and action to meet the Unite, Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) of providing safe water and toilets for all by 2030.
Currently, 47 million Nigerians still practice open defecation, with 3.5 billion people globally lacking access to safely managed sanitation.
This, the minister said has severe consequences, including high rates of diarrheal disease, which is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five.
The government has committed to ending open defecation, with the Minister stressing the need for urgent investment and innovation in the sanitation service chain.
According to the minister, this investment is not only crucial for public health but also beneficial for the economy.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, noted that the state has achieve Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status in 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
This was made possible through support from UNICEF and community leaders, as well as the revival of the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB).
The state commissioner for Environment, Nasiru Garo, emphasized the need for collective action to safeguard the environment for present and future generations.
“World Toilet Day serves as a reminder to promote behavioral change in sanitation and hygiene practices among citizens”,Garo said.
UNICEF’s Chief, Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, commended the government and people of Kano State for achieving open defecation-free status in 26 LGAs.
He emphasized the importance of sustaining motion to ensure the remaining 18 LGAs take urgent action to eradicate open defecation and contribute to making Kano State and Nigeria open defecation-free by 2025.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
Comments are closed.