The Oyo State Government has said that it is intensifying on behavioural change and increased investments and targeted funding for sanitation and hygiene will help eliminate open defecation practices in the state.
According to a report of the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics which was published in 2022, 23 percent of the nation, which represents about 48 million Nigerians are engaging in open defecation.
With Nigeria overtaking India as the world capital for open defecation, the international agency said it would continue to partner with state governments to minimise the menace.
“Oyo state has been ranked highest in the southwest with about 54 percent of the population practicing open defecation and only 8 percent of the people have access to basic hygiene services, ” said Monday Johnson, UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene specialist at a two-day media dialogue on “Making Nigeria Open Defecation Free in South West states of Nigeria” on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The programme was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation.
The workshop, with the theme: “Eliminating Open Defecation in Nigeria,” was attended by selected journalists in the region and officials of WASH and Oyo State Rural, Water Supply and Sanitation Agency.
According to him, for the country to reach its target of open defecation-free society, there is a need for increased investments and targeted funding for sanitation and hygiene.
“The overall vision of UNICEF Nigeria water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme is to support the federal government.
Reacting, Dotun Oyelade, state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said the state is working towards ending open defecation by 2028.
Oyelade said that before the end of 2028, there would be improvement in the menace of open defecation in the state.
“The state Governor, Seyi Makinde, has unequivocally mandated the Ministry of Justice to ensure the prosecution of anyone who dumps, refuses or defecates openly. The penalty, when fully in place, would promote behavioural change in the hygiene of citizens and curb open defecation.
“The government is willing to effect the necessary behavioural change in open defecation, working with UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene action plan. In this state, we have adopted the WASH action plan; if need be, we will back it up with legislation.
He added that the ministry of Justice has been mandated to penalise defecators and those dumping refuse in illegal sites. Also, law enforcement agencies will do their bit.
” It is sad that Nigeria has taken over from Egypt by recording the highest rate of open defecation. And the government will deal decisively with open defecators.
” The government, before 2028, would ensure much improvement in the social menaces and all other diseases plaguing the state. We appeal to the residents to patronise government-approved waste consultants and stop the unhygienic practice of open defecation.
“To this end, billboards will be erected at major junctions and entry points of the state, to discourage anyone from practising any environmental infractions, and the penalties. The government is bent on ensuring residents obey the law of social etiquette,” said Oyelade.
By Anthonia Obokoh
