2 weeks Ago By Lara Adejoro
Lara Adejoro, Abuja The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev announced that the National Task Group on Sanitation has declared eight additional Local Government Areas Open Defecation Free. Utsev who made the announcement in a press statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Funmi Imuetinyan, on Thursday noted that the achievement marks a critical step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to achieve the national ODF target.
“Nigeria’s commitment to becoming ODF by 2030 has received a significant boost with the recent declaration of eight additional LGAs as ODF across two states of Kano and Kebbi,” he said. Utsev explained that the NTGS, a multi-sectoral platform involving key stakeholders from relevant Ministries, Government Agencies, Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, and the media, validated and declared the eight LGAs ODF during its monthly meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday. “The newly declared ODF LGAs are Kiru, Bagwai, Dawakin Tofa, Gaya, Shanono, Gabasawa, Ungogo (Kano state); and Shanga (Kebbi state),” he stated.
With these additions, the minister noted that the total number of ODF LGAs in the country now stands at 134. Recently, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr Ishaq Salako about 48 million Nigerians still engage in open defecation despite just a year left to the deadline to end the practice in Nigeria. Salako also emphasised over 159 million Nigerians lack access to washing hands facilities, adding that the FG needs to build one million public toilets across the country’s six geo-political zones.
However, the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation added that the addition of the eight LGAs to ODF underscores ongoing efforts to enhance public health, sanitation, and environmental sustainability across Nigeria. Copyright PUNCH All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected] Tags #FG Dangers of open defecation Ending open defecation in Nigeria FG declares eight additional LGAs open defecation free UNCEFE.
