The Federal Government has directed Environmental Health Officers/Sanitary inspectors across all levels of government in the country to step up their routine sanitary inspection of premises in their various jurisdictions.
The Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal, gave the directive during an event to commemorate the 2024 World Toilet Day in Kano.
Represented by the Director of Pollution Control, Bahijja Abubakar, he said the inspectors and health officers are to ensure that everyone everywhere in Nigeria has access to safe toilets.
The minister warned that the issues of open defecation in Nigeria would no longer be business as usual.
”The ministry of environment will deploy all its regulatory framework to ensure adequate enforcement of sanitation laws in the country,” he said.
Lawal who described this year’s theme “Toilets: A Place for Peace” as apt, said it offers an opportunity for a public campaign that encourages behaviourial change for positive action.
“We are just six years away from the target year of achieving SDG 6 on safe toilets and water for all by 2030 and as of today, we still need more deliberate commitment and actions to meet that target in Nigeria.
“Globally, 3.5 billion people lack safely manage sanitation while 47 million people in Nigeria still practice open defecation.
“The scenario of leaving so many people behind without safe toilets put in jeopardy the entire 2030 Agenda, with the poorest people, particularly women and girls, paying the highest price in terms of poor health, missed education, loss of productivity and general insecurity,” he said.
The minister noted that many people in Nigeria still used the bush and water bodies as their regular means of excreta disposal.
Lawal used the occassion to solicit the support of newsmen, development partners, NGOs CSOs, the Organised Private Sector, Community Leaders and to promote safe toilets to enhance sanitation and hygiene practices for overall environmental health protection.
He also commended UNICEF and other partners for their unwavering support and commitment towards improving sanitation and hygiene which has made significant impact through this event
The minister lauded the commitment of Gov. Abba Yusuf for his efforts in eradicating open defecation.
The commissioner for Environment and Climate, Nasiru Garo, commended UNICEF and other partners for supporting Kano to achieve this feat.
He restated the state government’s commitment to evolve new innovations and implementation of environmental mitigation measures to safeguard our ecosystem.
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Earlier, the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field office, Rahama Farah represented by the officer in charge, Micheal Banda said only two per cent of the people in Kano State still practice open defecation, hence the need for concerted efforts with genuine commitments to address this problem.
Meanwhile, highlight of the event saw eight Local Government area from Kano State presented with certificate which certified them open defecation free.
(NAN)
