By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The National Coordinator, Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet Campaign, Mrs. Chizoba Opara has urged the governors in Southeast geopolitical zone to expedite action towards eliminating open defecation before the 2030 deadline set by the united nations.
Opara, who made the call in Awka, Anambra State capital during a one-day CLEAN Nigeria sensitization, held in partnership with the National Water Resources Capacity Building Network (SE) Centre, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, and Environment Development Initiative for Africa (EDIA), argued that the campaign requires collective action from entire residents and stakeholders.
According to her, out of the 177 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, only 142 council areas have been certified defecation-free, with Anambra State alone producing three, while Imo has one, and others zero.
“The South-East region has the potential to become open-defecation-free, but we need the political will to drive the process. We need our leaders to prioritize sanitation and hygiene, and allocate the necessary resources to support the efforts,” she added.
On his part, the Director-General, National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, Professor Emmanuel Ada Adanu, represented by Engr Michael Nwude, lamented that over 48 million residents of Nigeria still practice open defecation, thereby making the country to lose 1.3 percent of its annual gross domestic product (GDP) and over 100,000 children aged below five every year due to diarrhea caused directly by water and sanitation.
Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Water Resources Management Agency – Urban Water Asset Holdings Corporation (ASUWAHC), Hon. Ikeobi Ejiofor, who chaired the occasion, suggested that the campaign should be taken to communities, households and families for greater results.
“The households and families must be open defecation free. We are progressing but almost dragging. Advocacy is key because it drives behavioral change. We need to get the people to understand that this is not part of our lives,” he added.
Contributing, the Director, National Water Resources Capacity Building Network (NWRCBNet SE), Prof Emma Ezenwaji, called for the sustainability of the status of areas already validated defecation-free while more efforts should be made to reach other council areas.
To the Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka, represented by Mr Ezekwe Victor, the State government was committed to eradicating open defecation in the entire 21 local government areas, starting with establishment of WASH departments in LGAs.
Earlier, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Awka, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, represented by Prof Ada Sam Omenyi, said the institution has already taken up the initiative for clean and liveable environment.
The fact that the campaign is calling for everyone’s involvement — from the local communities to the government — is spot on. We really need a collective effort to change behaviors and improve sanitation in the region.