By Jerry Olomolaye
The House of Representatives has called for an end to open defecation in the country, while urging the government to increase the number of public toilets annually.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Bashiru Dawodu (APC-Lagos) on the floor of the House on Thursday in Abuja.
His motion was titled: “Need to End Open Defecation in Nigeria and increase the number of Toilets Annually”.
In his motion, he noted that about 1.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or N455 billion is lost annually due to poor access to sanitation, health, healthcare saving and productivity.
He quoted UNICEF Chief of Water for Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Dr Jane Bavon, as saying that Nigeria needs to build 3.9 million toilets annually to meet the ending of open defication by 2025 target.
According to him, 48 million people in Nigeria practice open defecation, while 95 million others are without access to basic sanitation services.
He said Nigeria could not continue business as usual as she would miss the target for 2025 and 2030, adding that there is need to strengthen and scale up proven strategies to reach the country’s goals.
Adopting the motion, the House urged governments at all levels and private individuals to embark on aggressive rural water projects that would ensure that each community was provided with potable water and functioning toilet facilities.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and other relevant agencies to give proper sensitisation on open defication in the community’s hygiene and safety.
The House mandated its Committee on Water Resources or its relevant committees when constituted to take action and tackle the issue of open defecation.
