47 million Nigerians engage in open defecation – FG

The permanent secretary, the federal ministry of water sources, Musa Ibrahim has said that no less than 47 million Nigerians practice open defecation. This, he said, exposed them to the risk of making contact with various diseases, and added that the practice has a negative impact on the health and economy of the population. When he spoke to Calabar on Monday and claimed Bekrara LGA, Open Defecation Free (ODF), he noted that more than 47 million Nigerians were at risk for different health challenges. The permanent secretary, represented by the deputy director, Engr. Emmanuel Eze said: "The access of the country to improved sanitation has been reported as 33% with more than 47 million people in Nigeria who still practice open defecation. "This poses a major health challenge for women, girls and people in vulnerable circumstances and has a negative impact on the health and economy of the population.

“The Ministry acknowledges the challenges of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in the country which includes low capacity, inadequate funding and, poor coordination among others. It is in this regard that sanitation and hygiene focused projects such Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) project is critical to close the gap.

“The Federal government through the Ministry, is committed to pursuing the collaborative efforts required in addressing these issues and has to this end, developed the strategy document “Making Nigeria Open Defecation free by 2025.

“In a bid to also revitalise the deplorable situation, a state of emergency has been declared in the sector which involves a phase out plan and an establishment of a National WASH fund which is a tool to renew and promote Federal -State partnership and increased financial investment.”

“All these efforts at promoting adequate sanitation are geared towards obtaining the optimal benefit accruable from provision of improved water supply facilities to the populace,’’ he stated.

On his part, Ita Ikpeme , Director General, Cross River State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) said the declaration of Bekwarra LGA as an ODF council making it the third local government to be so declared in the state was a huge feat as no state in Nigeria had achieved that.

He said: “With a population of 191,000 people living in an ODF environment in Bewkarra over 124,000 families and households now enjoy the benefits of improved sanitation .It is only in Cross River state that three LGAs have been declared ODF.

“This feat has not been achieved by any other state and we commend Governor Ayade for his efforts towards sustaining and improving health condition among rural communities by his advocacy for clean ablution habits.”

“Since 2014, we have been encouraging community on the need to attain ODF environment and this has eliminated a lot of diseases and reduced child mortality. More than 235 communities are happy to be part of this history,” he said.