Kwara govt sets up taskforce to tackle open defecation
The Kwara State Government has inaugurated a Local Government Sanitation Task Group aimed at enhancing sanitation efforts at the grassroots level across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.
During the inauguration, the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Yinusa Lade, praised the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) for its initiative in establishing the Local Government Task Group on Sanitation (LGTS).
Represented by the Chief Administrative Officer of the Ministry, Mr. Olu Oyakanye, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of the group’s role in promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.
Lade stated, “Sanitation is not just about keeping our surroundings clean; it serves as a fundamental pillar of public health and human dignity. Without proper sanitation, communities remain exposed to preventable diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and even malaria.”
He further noted the necessity of community involvement in enforcing hygiene and driving behavioral change, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
The Chairman of Ilorin South Local Government, Hon. Nuhu Majeed Podo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Comrade Ayobamire Samson, urged the newly inaugurated members of the LGTS to fulfill their responsibilities diligently. “Sanitation is a shared responsibility between local residents and the government,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of RUWASSA, Mr. Olorunfemi Oladipo, welcomed the Task Force members, highlighting that the establishment of this group is critical for Nigeria’s sanitation efforts.
He pointed out that achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in Ilorin South and Ilorin West is a priority, with positive developments expected soon.
“The inauguration of the Local Government Task Group on Sanitation marks the foundation upon which Kwara will build towards achieving ODF status,” he said, urging members to view their roles as vital in this important mission.
Mr. Oladipo reiterated the commitment of RUWASSA in combating open defecation, reminding attendees that this is not just a national target but a global mandate.
He concluded by calling on the Local Task Group to seize this opportunity, emphasizing that the success of this initiative rests in the hands of agency leaders, local governments, and the collective will of Kwara’s citizens.
