We must end open defecation – FG

The Minister of Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, says the ministry will soon start naming and shaming organizations and institutions that…

The Minister of Environment, Sharon Ikeazor, says the ministry will soon start naming and shaming organizations and institutions that fail to put their toilet facilities in order. 

He said this was to end open defecation in the country.

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He spoke in Abuja Monday at the commemoration of the second anniversary of ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign jointly organized by the Ministries of Environment and Water Resources. 

Represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Hassan Musa, the minister said: “The president has given a directive, we already have a presidential order, we have to cascade the order down to the environmental officers at the federal, state and local government levels. We need to work together. 

 “The ministry is going to improve its surveillance system, we’re also going to start naming and shaming. When we visit some places, we’ll expose them to the world. Maybe that can make Nigerians sit up. 

 “All buildings in Nigeria must be approved including the number of toilets. While the approval is on, the toilets also need to be taken into consideration. When the building is complete the health workers also need to check the toilet facilities.” 

The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, noted that of the estimated 494 million people practising open defecation globally, 46 million were Nigerians.

He said this ranked Nigeria among the countries with the highest number of people involved in the act.