23rd November, 2017
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
As the world marks the Global Toilet Day, it has been revealed that 1.1 billion people still defecate in the open worldwide.
Lagos Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Samuel Adejare, quoting the United Nations’ statistics said the situation was really bad.
Speaking during the celebration of the 2017 World Toilet Day in Ojodu-Berger Bus Terminus, Adejare emphasising the need for proper sanitation habit, saying that by United Nations estimate, 2.5 percent of the world’s seven billion people, mostly in rural areas, did not have proper sanitation while 1.1 billion people still defecate in the open.
“This has significant impacts on human health, dignity and security as well as the environment, social and economic development. The countries where open defecation is most widely practiced are the same countries with the highest mortality rate of children under five, high levels of under nutrition and poverty as well as large wealth disparities,” he said.
He said that the celebration brought to the front burner issues such as water, sanitation and hygiene.
According to him, proper handling of these critical issues would help reduce government expenditure on treatment of diseases and make more money available for other important public uses.
The Environment Commissioner stated that sanitation and toilet issues required urgent actions to stem the tide of diseases and bring about healthy citizenry.
His words: “This staggering statistics no doubt calls for urgent action among all stakeholders to prioritise toilet and sanitation issues, enhance access to water and sanitation facilities and as well spread awareness of the ills of undesirable sanitation practices.”
Adejare said that the administration of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was making determined efforts to eradicate the menace of open defecation and urination through the provision of public toilets and upgrading of already existing facilities across the State.
“All public institutions in the State such as petrol filling stations, eateries and shopping malls are mandated to maintain clean toilets and give access to members of the public. We have also ensured that non-compliance attracts appropriate sanctions,” he said.
He said that the Lagos State Government’s commitment to attaining the smart-city status for the State could not be sacrificed on the altar of poor sanitation and inefficient solid waste management, stressing that the environment remained the State’s priority as it was important for maintaining a secure and more prosperous State.
He enjoined Lagosians to join the State crusade of attaining a cleaner, healthier, functional and sustainable environment, capable of promoting economic growth and well-being of the entire citizenry.