….. Joins Global Community to Celebrate 2022 World Toilet Day
The Lagos State Saturday, joined the global community in marking World Toilet Day, stating that it has constructed over167 Public Toilets in designated areas and registered over 635 Public Toilet Operators as part of efforts to prevent open defecation.
Speaking at the 2022 celebrations held at the Lagos Island Local Government Secretariat, Permanent Secretary Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Tajudeen Gaji said that the State is determined to end open defecation and other Sanitation challenges.
He reiterated that part of the measures was the construction of new toilets at various strategic locations such as motor parks, markets and densely populated areas across the State.
He informed that the event held simultaneously at three locations in the state which were Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Areas.
PIX 4209/4195…L-R: Assistant Director Environmental Services, Sanitarian Emmanuel Ajaneson, Representative of the Executive Chairman, Ifako Ijaiye Local Government and Leader of the House, Hon. Victor Onifade, Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services and Deputy Director, Environmental Services, Mr Babajide Adeoye, Oba Elect of Iju Ogundimu in Ifako Ijaiye, Prince Gbolahan Ogundimu and Deputy Director, Office of Environmental Services, Mrs Felicia Carrena, during the year 2022 World Toilet Day celebration held on the 19th of November 2022, at Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, Lagos State.
The PS represented by the Deputy Director, Sanitation Services, Mrs. Janet Balogun noted that the theme “Sanitation and Groundwater’’ w
making the invisible visible was a clarion call on all stakeholders to prioritize hygiene as it is the cheapest method to combat the spread of diseases and control all environmental crisis.
He maintained that Groundwater is a vital resource that provides almost half of all drinking water worldwide saying that about 40% of water is for irrigated agriculture and about 1/3 of water required for industry.
He said Nigeria presently occupy the topmost level in the ladder of open defecation adding that in order to combat the menace President Muhammadu Buhari declared a State of Emergency on Open Defecation in the country as contained in the Executive Order 009 titled: The Open Defecation – Free Nigeria by 2025 and Other Related Matters Order.
He added that the declaration is expected to be followed by actions from each State to domesticate the Order and plan towards its application and sustenance to achieve Open Defecation Free status by 2025.
He said the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo – Olu took the lead role and set the pace for others to emulate by signing an Executive Order titled: Enforcement of Law and Order in Respect of Traffic and Sanitation Matters.
He stressed that the essence of the Executive Order is to restore stability and accountability to all citizens to become active stakeholders in bringing necessary changes to transform Lagos to the desired state.
He added that the State also developed a Resilience Strategy Document consisting of 3 Pillars, 10 Goals and 31 Initiatives in order to Improve Access to Clean Water and Sanitation a priority as stated in Goal 2, Initiative 1 of the document.
“The World Toilet Organization (WTO), a non-profit organization established on 19th November, 2001 with focus on breaking the silence on the sanitation crises and membership across 53 countries started the World Toilet Day celebration every 19 November. It was thereafter adopted for global observance by United Nations since 2013” he said.
He said the World Toilet Day commemoration is about raising awareness and taking actions to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and Sanitation for all by 2030.
He added that WTO organizes the World Toilet Summit (WTS) annually on the sideline of the World Toilet Day geared towards mobilizing key Sector Players, NGOs and high-level decision makers to bring the issue of open defecation to greater public focus.
He explained that Nigeria was chosen as the host for this year 2022 World Toilet Summit (WTS) which commenced on 18th November and is being rounded up today the 19th November 2022 in Abuja.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman Ĺagos Island Local Government represented by his Vice, Hon. Rosul Esinlokun said the State needs to continuously address the issue of toilets and beam the searchlight on Sanitation.
He added that the toilet campaign is part of the State Government efforts to fast track the Sustainable Development Goal for water and Sanitation by 2030.
He added that the State can not afford any fatality that could be caused by presentable water and sanitation related diseases.
SIGNED
KUNLE ADESHINA
DIRECTOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, MOE&WR