The Federal Ministry of Water Resources, has expressed concerns that Nigeria still tops the global league of countries in which open defecation is prevalent with an estimated 47 million people indulging in the practice.
Chief Scientific Officer (Desk Officer Hygiene) Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Ayaba Kogbara stated this on Monday, during the review meeting of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Media Network, Benue State Chapter, which held in Makurdi.
Kogbara who lamented that the practice has continued in spite of government’s efforts to track mechanism for sanitation and hygiene in the country, noted that open defecation has a negative impact on the health, educational outcomes and socio-economic life of the populace, especially women and children.
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She expressed regret that the practice of open defecation is a norm in many communities due to lack of sanitation facilities, “Many public places either lack sanitation facilities or have facilities which are not accessible or fit to use,” she said.
She disclosed that “National access to improved sanitation facilities stands at 41.5% of which 19.2% are safely managed according to the SDG standard (WASHNORM 2018 data).
“Similarly, access to basic sanitation facilities in schools is 33.5% while in health care facilities the access is 11.7%. These statistics are critical and needs more attention with a minimum of three times the current level of investment required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for water and sanitation.
She urged all stakeholders; the President, landlords and tenants to collaborate and ensure that open defecation is eliminated in Nigeria even as she urged the media to play its role of sensitizing the general public to the effects of open defecation.
She advised the Media to refocus its lenses on capturing the poor and negative attitudes that have brought the country to its knees as far as sanitation is concerned with a view to help in shaping the hearts and minds of the people for an improved sanitation.
Kogbara also appealed to the Legislature and Judiciary to ensure that sanitation law enforcement works just as she called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to influence their constituencies to change.
“Trade Unions can sensitize their members and seek their welfare by demanding clean and safe toilets at their workplaces; heads of institutions will ensure there is access to clean toilets for their staff; landlords will ensure there is a toilet for tenants; and prospective tenants will insist on availability of a toilet before renting a room/apartment.
She further commended donor partners including United Purpose (UP), UNICEF, WaterAid, Action Against Hunger among other organizations for their immense contribution to the fight against open defecation and other WASH related issues in the country.
The General Manager of Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), Mrs. Torkwase Ikyaator made a presentation on the activities of the Agency in the state.
According to her, Benue state government has made provision for over 2632 water facilities across communities in the state while plans are in the offing to make more local governments open affection free.
Speaking, National Chairman of WASH Media Network, Mr. Wale Elekolusi commended stakeholders for finding time to honour the invitation and urged them to support the media to carry out more sensitization and projection of WASH programmes in the state.
Welcoming participants earlier, State Chairman, Benue WASH Media Network, Mr. Babs Usigbe pledge the commitment of the Network to remain active in reporting WASH programmes just as he solicited the support of stakeholders to effectively carry out their duties.
