FG, Ogun train officers to end open defecation
By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
The Federal and Ogun State Governments have moved to build capacity of Sanitation Desk Officers across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state to promote toilet uptake in ending the practices and sustaining campaigns against open defecation.
Commissioner for Rural Development, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun who spoke in Abeokuta at the opening of a 5-day Community-Led Total Sanitation Approach (CLTS) workshop for the officers, said the training would avail them the required skills to educate people through ‘Use the Toilet’ campaign against open defecation.
Oludotun stated that the initiative was an extension of the Federal government’s commitment to support States across the federation, towards achieving the national target of making Nigeria open defecation free before 2025.
The Commissioner who applauded the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and others stakeholders for their support, urged the participants to take advantage of the workshop to perform their duties efficiently.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Adetunji Kanimodo said the government would continue to support the Federal government’s policies in eradicating open defecation, enjoining LGAs Sanitation Desks Officers to take the training serious and use the knowledge gained to the betterment of their communities.
Contributing, the National Coordinator, Clean Nigeria Campaign Secretariat (CNC), Mrs. Chizoma Opara said the effort was geared towards removing Nigeria from group of countries with higher number of persons practicing open defecation in the world.
Opara, represented by Director in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Mrs. Abasiama Ebreso emphasised the need to mobilise communities and ensure that Nigerians have access to toilet facilities at home and public places including schools, health centres, motor parks, markets, among others.
“The Clean Nigeria Campaign Secretariat is willing to continue to provide support to States that are demonstrating commitment to the objectives of the campaign and we hope that Ogun will be one of those States. It is my desire that every participant shows commitment to the success of this campaign by showing zeal and passion in the course of this training. Together, I believe we will achieve our goal of an open defecation free Nigeria by year 2025,” Opara stressed.
She called on government at all levels, civil society organisations, private sectors, development partners and the entire populace to embrace the ‘Use the Toilet’ Campaign to end open defecation in the country before 2025.
In his goodwill message, the Programme Manager, Ogun Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, Mr. Sola Ogunbo, said that the present administration was determined to make life more meaningful for the people, particularly rural dwellers by providing potable water in nooks and crannies of the State, charging the participants and stakeholders to impart the skills acquired on other staff.
