Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, restated its plan to eradicate open defecation by 2025.
Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Mr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, disclosed this while speaking at the, ‘Use the Toilet Campaign’, held at the Mainland Local Council Secretariat, noting that raising awareness was pivotal but there was need to educate all communities about the health risks associated with open defecation.
The Permanent Secretary, represented by a Director in the Sanitation Department, Mrs. Omoyeni Balogun, said knowledge is the foundation upon which change is built, and by informing the citizens, they are empowered to make choices that would positively impact their lives.
He explained that open defecation was not merely about sanitation concerns but a multifaceted challenge that negatively impacts the environment, health, education, economy and social fabric of any society.
He pointed out that the consequences of open defecation are far-reaching and profound from the spread of waterborne diseases to the contamination of the water sources, adding that this practice poses a grave threat to public health.
He noted that children are vulnerable, as they are more susceptible to these diseases due to their developing immune systems, just as he said open defecation undermines the dignity of the people, especially the women and girls who often bear the brunt of this practice’s negative effects.
He urged the people not to dwell solely on the challenges but to focus on the solutions and the collective actions that can be taken to put an end to the menace in the State .
He said it is imperative everyone approach the issue with a sense of urgency, determination, and unity.
Gaji noted that Lagos State, having attained the Resilience City Status with the vibrant communities and growing urban centre, has recorded a landmark achievements in its journey towards development, and therefore, would not allow the menace to truncate the aspirations for a cleaner, healthier and more prosperous Lagos.
Representative of the chairman and Vice Chairman Mainland Local Council, Hon. Emilagba jubril, had earlier said this flag off became necessary because there are many rural areas in the axis and these include Otumara, Idi-Agbon, Makoko, Ori – Oke , Aiyetoro amongst others saying the Local Government is set to partner with the private sectors to build more toilets in the rural communities.
He said the council had built some public toilets within the community and was determined to build more so as to sustain the campaign against eradication of open defecation.
