Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, has lamented the position of Nigeria as the top-ranking country in Africa with the highest population of people practising open defecation.
Read Also: Open defecation can affect public health, puts productivity, economic growth at risk
The minister in a statement signed by Kenechukwu Offie, director of information said that Nigeria being the first in Africa and second globally behind India with the highest population of people practising open defecation is unfortunate as well as unacceptable and expressed his optimism that the Federal Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that Nigeria exits from that position as soon as possible.
“The Open Defecation Free Road Map was launched in 2016 after which many communities keyed into it with 20 Communities declared already with the status of Open Defecation Free”.
“Efforts are on to make the whole country ODF in the next six years, hence the change of strategy which includes: the Presidential launch of National Action Plan for the Revitalization of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Sector and declared a State of Emergency for the WASH Sector in November 8, 2018, Federal Executive Council (FEC) approvals of “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign and establishment of a National WASH Fund.
“The launching of ODF Secretariat in May 2019, advocacy visits to the Minister of FCT and State Governors as well as securing Tuesday, 19th November 2019 (World Toilet Day), as the date for the National Launching of Campaign to end open defecation in Nigeria by President Muahammadu Buhari”.
Adamu expressed hope that after the National Launching of the campaign, the State Governments are going to key into the program using their First Ladies to champion it.
