Oyo State Reiterates Determination to End Open Defecation
By Olubunmi Osoteku
The Oyo State Government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, has reiterated its determination to end open defecation in all nooks and crannies of state.
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The General Manager (GM), Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Mr Adeniyi Adeduntan, who disclosed this, noted that the agency is collaborating with traditional institutions, especially in the rural areas, to stop open defecation in the state.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, says Adeduntan made this known in Oyo Town, during a sensitisation workshop of critical stakeholders on WASH Implementation, which centred on Ibarapa East Local Government Area (LGA).
Adeduntan noted that, “The workshop was aimed at the state achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and improved sanitation by 2025, under the WASH project supported by UNICEF, revealing that the programme will also assist in reducing water- and sanitation-related diseases, particularly in rural areas of the state.”
He declared that the state government, in partnership with UNICEF, organised the workshop to sensitise critical stakeholders on Wash Implementation in the Ibarapa East Local Government Area, calling on all stakeholders in the zone to understand the need to embrace WASH activities and take responsibility for the sustainability of the programme in their area.
The GM urged traditional leaders in the zone to agree on punitive measures for any household that fails to construct a latrine for use of the family within a given time frame.
The Onilanlate of Lanlate, High Chief Olatunji Samuel, who spoke on behalf of the community leaders, assured the full support of their people for the programme and achieving the goals, saying the initiative will enhance the glory of the state and their land, and make Ibarapa East open defecation free.
While presenting his goodwill message, WASH Specialist, Mr Monday Johnson (UNICEF), affirmed that Ibarapa East would be Open Defecation Free (ODF) in the next six months, and encouraged other LGAs to emulate the policy by focusing on behavioural change towards the implementation of ODF.
Johnson noted that, “Stakeholders should not have the mindset that UNICEF will construct toilets for people, rather UNICEF will educate people on the importance of maintaining cleanliness, stressing that the community owns the project, not UNICEF.”
He also disclosed that UNICEF has provided 2 motor cycles for the achievement of the ODF programme in Ibarapa East LGA, which OYO RUWASSA will facilitate.
In another dimension, the Executive Chairman of Ibarapa East Local Government Area, Mr Gbenga Gbadebo, stated that the LGA will enlighten its people on the importance of WASH, promising to make available, land for the WASH project and establish WASH units, and provide logistics, and desk officers for the project.
