The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, says the federal government will be taking a more serious approach to address the issue of open defecation, as the environmental ministry will deploy all regulatory framework to ensure adequate enforcement of sanitation laws in Nigeria.
Lawal made the declation while commemorating the 2024 world Toilet day WTD in Kano, organized by the federal ministry of environment in collaboration with the Kano state ministry of environment and climate change with supporting partners.
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The world Toilet Day (WTD) is an official United Nations international observance day on 19 November to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
The minister also directed all environmental health and sanitary officers across all levels of government to step up their routine sanitary inspection of premises within their various jurisdictions and ensure that everyone everywhere in Nigeria has access to safe toilets.
Represented by the ministry’s director, Pollution and environmental health, Bahija Abubakar, Lawal stated that as a Country, there is a need for a deliberate commitment and actions to meet SDG six on safe toilet and water for all by 2030, noting that, 3.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation globally, while 47 million people in Nigeria still practice open defecation.
“One of the major consequences of poor excreta and sewage disposal is the high rate of diarrheal disease which is the second cause of high morbidity and mortality rates among children under the age of five.
“The persistent re-occurrence of annual incidences of cholera outbreaks in some of our states including Kano state are also manifestations of inadequate toilet facilities,” .
While restating the government commitments to ending open defecation, he stressed on the need for urgent and massive investment and innovation along the entire sanitation service chain, noting that an investment in the sector is good for both public health and the economy.
Kano state governor, Abba Yusuf, represented by the state commissioner for health, Abubakar Labaran emphasized on keeping clean environment, hinting that it promotes wellbeing, improves public health, preserves human dignity and sustainable development.
He said with support from UNICEF and community leaders, the state has successfully promoted behavioral change and achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Additionally, the government has revitalized the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) to maintain a clean environment, along with implementing other interventions.
In his opening remarks, the state Commissioner of Environment, Nasiru Garo, pointed out that the occasion serves as a reminder for collective action to protect the environment for both present and future generations.
He explained that the event aims to promote behavioral change in sanitation and hygiene practices among the community.
Paradigm news reports that the event was marked by cultural display troupe, Paper presentation, panel discussion and award of certificates to LGAs that achieved ODF status, as well as supporting individuals.
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