Lagos reaffirms push to end open defecation by 2030
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to achieving an open-defecation-free status by the year 2030.
During a World Toilet Day event in Lagos, Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, provided this assurance.
Wahab detailed the government's recent initiatives to enhance toilet facilities, revealing that the administration has given the go-ahead for the construction of 20 more public toilets, each containing 10 units, which will contribute an additional 200 units to the existing infrastructure.
However, reports persistently highlight ongoing issues of open defecation occurring on the streets of Lagos and the reckless disposal of human waste from buildings in the Itafaji and Tinubu Square areas on Lagos Island.
This indicates significant gaps remain in the government's efforts to eradicate open defecation from the state.
In the meantime, Wahab indicated that the new approval for 20 additional public toilets will support the existing 1,710 public toilets already distributed throughout the state, and he mentioned that the government is also enhancing the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to better manage fecal sludge effectively.
“The state is collaborating with WaterAid Nigeria to conduct an essential study on the sanitation circular economy, aimed at identifying possibilities in fecal sludge management and promoting strategic partnerships to advance sustainable sanitation methods,” he stated.
Wahab also noted the state's partnership with various development organizations, including UNICEF, USAID, the World Bank, and WaterAid Nigeria, to expand sanitation initiatives.
The commissioner remarked that the annual gathering aims to raise awareness about the pressing need for safe and sustainable sanitation for everyone.
Gaji Omobolaji, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Environmental Services, who spoke through the Director of the Environmental Education Unit, Monsurat Banire, emphasized the critical nature of safe toilets for saving lives.
“Regardless of future developments, sanitation will always be essential for protecting us from diseases and maintaining a clean environment,” he stated.
In a lecture titled “Sanitation in a Changing World: We’ll Always Need the Toilet,” Babatunde Onajobi encouraged participants to regard sanitation as a fundamental human right rather than merely a service.
He advocated for stronger promotion of sanitation policies, increased financial support, enhanced infrastructure, hygiene education, and collaborations designed to drive innovative and sustainable outcomes.
At the event, which convened experts and stakeholders in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), there was a strong emphasis on the necessity for forward-thinking sanitation systems capable of addressing the state’s growth and environmental challenges.
The importance of ongoing public education regarding hygiene practices to boost community sanitation was also underscored.
Participants acknowledged that while World Toilet Day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of toilets for public health and human dignity, greater cooperation among the government, development partners, and local communities is needed to ensure that no one is excluded.
Call for Enforcement
In February, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly urged the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to implement environmental laws against open defecation and to provide free public toilets throughout the state.
Leave A Comment