NGO advocates clean functional toilets in public places
The Initiative for Mercy and Social Action (IMSA) a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has advocated clean functional toilets in public places in the country.
Mr Okiki Orthus, Director of IMSA, said this during a sensitisation and awareness programme to mark the World Toilet Day with the theme, “Valuing the Toilet” on Saturday in Abuja.
The IMSA is a benevolent arm of the Baptist Church, Duste, introduced to assist the underserved in the society.
“We recognised the fact that the World Toilet Day is celebrated at this time every year and we felt that we should look at a place where there are not enough toilet facilities and see how we can support them, that is why we chose Bwari Market.
“We chose this place for this purpose because there are inadequate toilet facilities and we want to sensitise them to know the importance of having a toilet and also valuing it.
“That is why we decided to create impact by cleaning existing toilets, clearing of the drainage system and also making sanitation materials that are useful available for the people in the market,” he said.
Orthus said the programme was also to create awareness on the use of hand washing facilities after the use of toilet.
He added that the toilet must be kept clean always and hands properly washed to avoid diseases.
He said the theme, valuing the toilet, means toilet plays a major role in the disposal of waste in the human body.
“That is why we must say no to open defecation and yes to health. That is why we must call for good functional toilets in public places,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Mohammad Dan-Hassan, Executive Director, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), noted that the day was set aside annually by the UN to create awareness on the importance of having toilets in households and public places.
“Our target is safe sanitation and hygiene practice, we want to encourage everyone to have toilet in his or her house.
“This is geared towards the eradication of open defecation in the country, because as you are aware, Nigeria has taken the position of India as the number one country in the world on open defecation.
“That is why in November, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari declared state of emergency on water sanitation and hygiene, and also the signing of the Order 009 to end open defecation in Nigeria before the year 2025.
“Today marks the beginning of the continuation of awareness for us to live up to expectation, to ensure that we do not defecate in the open in our communities and our cities as it is beneficial to ensure healthy citizens,” he said.
Dan-Hassan, therefore, advised all to ensure safe drinking water and proper disposal of human waste.
“Otherwise the money that would have been used in doing little businesses or sending children to school will be spent in the hospital, so it is very important having a toilet.
“I want to say, having toilets in public places is also good for the economy, because when you construct public toilets, you can generate funds from it and empower the youth.
“That way you are into the sanitation market economy and by doing that we are also improving the health of the citizens,” he said.
Also, Mr Ayanwola Musa, Managing Director, Top-Water Engineering Services Ltd., said the programme was organised to enlighten people on how to use the toilet in a proper way.
According to to him, open defecation causes more harm than good, “that is why we are emphasising the value of having a toilet.
“That is why we are here today to create awareness on the use of toilet and how we can keep it neat so that it will not have odour that will attract flies, and also the importance of washing of hands after use.” (NAN)
