World Toilet Day: Five Kwara communities declared open defecation-free
No fewer than five communities in the Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara South Senatorial District have been declared open defecation-free following their landmark success recorded in eradicating open defecation, which has posed a hazard to society.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa made the declaration during the World Toilet Day celebration held at Ilofa, Headquarters of Oke-Ero Local Government of the state.
The five certified communities declared as open defecation-free are Imode, Ayedun, Egosi, Ilaojigi, and Ilofa.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Christiana Asonibare, the commissioner, while describing this year’s World Toilet Day tagged Toilet: “A Place of Peace”, explained that the state government recently paid the sum of N300 million as counterpart funding for the exercise as part of its commitment towards eradicating open defecation in the state.
He said, “Today, I am happy to inform you that five communities have attained open defecation-free status in Oke-Ero Local Government Area, and they will be presented the certificate of award.”
Lade, while commending the host Local Government Chairman, traditional rulers, union leaders, market women, community leaders and the state government for their support and cooperation towards the success of the project, emphasized that the same thing is going on in the other two senatorial districts of Kwara Central and North, respectively.
In his remarks, the General Manager of the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Ilorin, Mr Olorunfemi Oladipo described the project as the first of its kind in the state, while reiterating that it is a landmark achievement and rare feat attained by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
He urged the benefitting communities to maintain the facilities, adding that they must also guard and protect them jealously against vandalisation.
The RUWASSA boss also stressed that with the usual cooperation and support of major stakeholders, the local government, he said, would soon achieve a 100% open defecation-free status in the rest of the communities.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Hon. James Abiodun Fadipe appealed to the people of the local government not to rest on their oars and draw inspiration from today’s honorees, advising them to join hands in making the other communities open defecation-free.
“However, while we celebrate this success, let us not rest on our laurels. I urge other communities within Oke-Ero Local Government to draw inspiration from today’s honorees and join hands in adopting practices that will make our entire local government open defecation-free. Together, we can ensure a cleaner environment, reduce the spread of diseases, and enhance the quality of life for all residents”, the Chairman said.
He, however, thanked Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his effort to improve public health, hygiene, and environmental sanitation across the state.
Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Royal Fathers, the Elegosi of Egosi, Oba Daniel Dada said the project was meant to safeguard their lives.
The monarch explained that it is dangerous for people to defecate in the bush, noting that reptiles and other dangerous animals are not friendly with human beings.
Oba Dada appealed to the state government to provide the communities with sanitary inspectors that will ensure compliance with sanitary principles of using the facilities.
He also commended the RUWASSA Management and the state government for the opportunity given to them and their subjects as part of government efforts to curb the menace of open defecation in the local government.
