The scourge of open defecation

In Nigeria, one of man`s most primal needs – the need to relieve one`s self – is under attack. This attack, which strikes at the very heart of human dignity, is launched primarily by the absence of sanitary facilities which speak to a much uglier situation – inadequate housing in the country. Nigeria is a […]

In Nigeria, one of man`s most primal needs – the need to relieve one`s self – is under attack. This attack, which strikes at the very heart of human dignity, is launched primarily by the absence of sanitary facilities which speak to a much uglier situation – inadequate housing in the country.

Nigeria is a developing country – at least, its well-wishers truly hope it is developing. Being a developing country presents a unique raft of challenges, one of which is inadequate housing.

Unlike in developed countries where the quality of living is translated into favourable metrics, such as good housing and   adequate disposable income, developing countries usually find themselves mired in a myriad  of challenges which above all else ensure that many of  their citizens are rooted in the misery that accompanies the unavailability of basics such as food, shelter and clothing, or at least, the assurance of same.

Nigeria is no different from other developing countries. A rabid regret is that Nigeria could have been and should have been more, especially with the uniqueness of the enormous human and natural resources at its disposal.

Many Nigerians do not have safe and dignified sanitary  facilities where they can relieve themselves without endangering themselves and others. This shameful situation appears even more pronounced in the so-called big cities where the riotous irony of sprawling mansions stares down  straggling  shanties in a chilling confrontation between diametrically opposed forces of inequality.

So, most times, when people are pressed to respond to nature`s call, the lack of options which Nigeria`s steep poverty slopes foist on them stares them hard in the face. Because nature does not permit a rejection or deferment of its call, they are forced to relieve themselves anywhere. During the day, they take to the bushes wherever they may be, paying little   attention to the proximity of water sources. At night, under the cover of darkness, city centres, drainages and walkways, suddenly open up more options in Nigeria`s treacherous terrain of scant sanitary facilities.

Expectedly, this is a nightmare, especially for children. Of course, the first question that arises is also the most natural one: what hope can a country unable to guarantee something as basic as housing, and its appurtenances of sanitary facilities offer its teeming population for the future? The answer is not far-fetched. On the streets of Nigeria, hopelessness runs free and wild, pushing many into the asphyxiating embrace of insanity.

Then, there are the health implications. Open defecation means there is usually little control over people`s waste and where it ends up. Episodically, in Nigeria, cholera flares up, cruelly sounding the death knell for many innocent children. There is an inexorable link between appalling hygiene conditions which open defecation contributes to and the killer diseases which especially haunt children.

Again, because the government has failed to guarantee adequate housing for Nigerians, there is in place, especially in the big cities, landlords who charge extortionate amounts as rent for houses that many times lack adequate sanitary facilities, while riding roughshod over hapless tenants. In all, it has proven a very delicate situation.

For every human, dignity is integral to quality living. There cannot be one without the other. The fact that a good number of Nigerians do not have adequate sanitary facilities to relieve themselves as they wish does not only pose considerable health challenges especially to children, it haemorrhages the little that is left of the dignity of Nigerians as the country continues to sleepwalk into countless completely avoidable problems.

The government which has so far done too little must now do more.  

Kene Obiezu can be reached through [email protected]