Sanitation: Stakeholders calls for actions against open defecation in Ngeria

According to stakeholders at the second national retreat for states on the, “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign”called for fast-track actions that would accelerate progress towards zero open defecation in Nigeria.

Participants stressed the need to re-think the effectiveness of current approaches and strategies for delivering National Sanitation targets; and for Nigeria to move beyond containment to safely managed sanitation, as well as harness different opportunities for fund raising and resource mobilisation.

The communique was signed by representatives of North East Zone, South West Zone, South East zone, North West Zone, South-South Zone, North Central zone, and Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation Federal Ministry of Water Resources, respectively.

According to the Communique, since the inception of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, some of the challenges identified that may deter the success are as follows: low political-wiIl at sub-national level, Low prioritisation, poor capacity, inadequate funding poor private sector support, poor partnership and collaboration.

The Communique read, “After two days of deliberations at Plenary and Technical Sessions, the following key resolutions arrived at and their implementation strategies: ODF drive through Clean Nigeria Campaign should move beyond containment to safely managed sanitation with consideration for urban areas and States should intensify efforts and rethink their implementation strategies by adopting context specific approaches towards achieving ODF Status.

The states should review or develop WASH related policies in line with the SDGS 6 Target, expanded and multifaceted partnerships at sub-national level are required to contribute to fast tracking progress and sustaining result towards meeting the SDGs-6 in Nigeria.

“States should explore and harness funding for sanitation via organised private sector, Philanthropists, indigenes in Diaspora, and States should harness opportunities available in sanitation economy within their jurisdiction through engagement with relevant stakeholders lIke private sector and financial institutions.

“CNCS/States should leverage on religious/traditional institutions and other notable personalities in driving the campaign to end open defecation.

“States should harness the innovation and the potentials available within the youth in contributing to WASH service delivery.

“OPS-WASH committed to adopt 100 LGAs to attain ODF status across the country between 2023 and 2024.”

This position was contained in a communique issued at the end of the Retreat, which held from 13th -14h February, 2023, in Abuja, with the theme: Sustaining the Gains of Improved sanitation towards an ODF Nigeria”. One hundred and twenty seven (127) participants drawn from State RUWASSA’s (32 States and FCT).

 Development Partners, WaterAid, NEWSAN, UNICEF, OPS-WASH, Youth WASH Africa, Lixil-SATO and ALGON. Others include representatives from Federal Ministries of Education and Environment, Civil Society Organisations and members of the press.