ABUJA – Engr. Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, has tasked corporate organisations and civil society organisations to build toilet facilities for Nigerians in a bid to end open defecation in the country.
Adamu who gave the charge at the weekend in Abuja during the commomeration of the World Toilet Day, also urged the citizens to work towards ending open defecation in Nigeria.
He pointed out that Open Defecation Free (ODF) Nigeria is possible as the government has demonstrated strong political will and commitment towards ending the menace.
He said: “I expect the quantum leap that we have been looking for. Going forward, from all that has happened at yesterday’s World Toilet Summit and today’s World Toilet Day, I hope that more states, communities, and locals will embrace the campaign and end open defecation for people to appreciate the need to build toilets in their homes.”
He explained that most of the States declared ODF have drastic reduction in cases of cholera, dysentery and other air and water borne diseases as people live healthy lives and spend less on treatment and drugs.
He assured that government would continue to provide the enabling environment to achieve ODF status, while tasking families and communities to secure and safeguard the health of their families with befitting toilets.
Also speaking, the founder of the World Toilet Organization (WTO), Jack Sim, called on Nigerian government and private investors to prioritise toilet facilities.
He said: “if you don’t have a toilet, it embarrasses you; just as cellphones have been prioritised, individuals should prioritise the use of toilets.
“As it is embarrassing not to have a cell phone, and a toilet just like the cell phone, if you don’t have it, it is embarrassing to you.”
He assured that the World Toilet Organization would support the efforts of having safe and decent toilets in Nigeria.
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