Jigawa vows to sustain open defecation-free status with new measures
By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering resolve to sustain the Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status recently attained by the state, describing the achievement as both monumental and demanding of long-term dedication.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) monitoring team at the Government House in Dutse, the governor hailed the ODF milestone as a product of collective effort and strategic planning, while acknowledging that sustaining the feat poses an even greater challenge.
“The open defecation-free (ODF) status we have attained was not an effortless feat. Attaining it is difficult, but sustaining it is even more challenging.
“I want to assure you that the Jigawa State Government has put in place comprehensive strategies, backed by strong commitment and resources, to ensure the sustainability of our ODF status,”the governor stated.
He disclosed that a high-level Steering Committee and a multi-sectoral Technical Committee, made up of permanent secretaries and sector professionals, have been set up to rigorously monitor sanitation and hygiene progress across the state.
Highlighting practical efforts, Governor Namadi revealed that new toilets are currently being constructed in public schools and markets across all 27 local government areas. In a novel move to ensure sustainability, the state is implementing a public-private partnership (PPP) model, where private managers are subsidised by the government to maintain public toilets in markets.
“When it is managed by the private sector, they see it as a means of livelihood,” he said.
He added that this PPP approach would instill accountability, encourage local economic activity, and protect investments made in sanitation infrastructure.
Beyond sanitation, Governor Namadi underscored the state’s holistic approach to environmental resilience. He noted that over five million trees were planted in the last year, with an identical target set for the current year. Environmental protection, he stressed, is now an integral component of every public engagement he undertakes.
On flood mitigation, the governor said both state and local task forces have been mobilised, with the Ministry of Environment working in close collaboration with water management experts.
“We have both state and local task forces — the state team includes external experts in water management. They continuously advise the government on best practices. Local task forces implement these recommendations by creating barricades and other physical interventions to divert floodwaters away from communities,” Namadi said.
He assured the NTGS that Jigawa would remain a pacesetter in sanitation, public health, and environmental management, urging development partners to continue their support.
Earlier, Team Leader of the National Task Group on Sanitation, Mr. Benson Attah, applauded the Jigawa State Government’s strong political commitment and community-centred approach, describing the ODF attainment as a model for other states.
“I would like to commend Your Excellency for your commitment and the political will you have shown toward the improvement of water, sanitation, and hygiene in the state. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been any need to dispatch members of the National Task Group on Sanitation to conduct a monitoring visit to assess the sustainability of the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in your state,” Attah said.
He pledged ongoing technical support from national stakeholders and development partners to help the state maintain its leadership in WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) standards.