Nigeria ranks first in Open Defecation in the world – Anambra Director of Water Resources, Victor Ezekwo

The Director of Water Resources, Anambra State Ministry of Public Utilities and Water Resources, Mr. Victor Ezekwo on Thursday said that Nigeria is ranked the highest country known for open defecation.

Ezekwo made the disclosure during his presentation at a workshop organized in commemoration of International Water Day organized by Justice Development  and Peace Caritas, Onitsha (JDPC) through the support of Christian Aid.

Speaking at the interactive session with stakeholders from communities in Anambra state, he urged the public to help government’s efforts at eradicating open defecation, which he said constitutes major pollution to water in various communities.

Ezekwo who represented Anambra state commissioner for public utilities, Engr. Emeka Ezenwanne said, “Nigeria is well known in the whole world for open defecation, in fact, Nigeria is rated number one in open defection after it replaced Indonesia in 2018. India left the position for Nigeria in November, 2018 and we became number one.

He said the country is striving to see that it absolves itself of the ignoble achievement, stating that reports have revealed that most Nigerians do not have adequate toilets for defecation but resort to open defecation in rivers and neighborhood.

He decried that no state in the entire Southeast of Nigeria had been confirmed open defecation free because of their backwardness in embracing formal defection system, urging governments to ensure building of toilets especially at public places to curb the menace in the society.

He said the International Water Day celebrated every 22nd March should be a day for reflection on the importance of quality water and to encourage neighbours to deviate from such practices that endanger the quality of water in the society.

He reminded the participants on the need to add value to water and shun the lukewarm attitude of neglecting care for water meant for public consumption. He urged them to take ownership of water projects in their constituencies, stressing that it is the duty of the community members to protect government established water schemes/ projects in their communities.

Meanwhile, Evidence and Collaboration for Inclusive Development (ECID) project partners in Anambra state, led by Justice Development  and Peace Caritas, Onitsha, at the event trained key stakeholders on community reporting and project monitoring for their various communities.

The ECID project, which is supported by Christian Aid and funded by the government of United Kingdom (UK Aid) trained the stakeholders in areas of oversight monitoring of projects in their locality as well as reporting issues that borders on community development and welfare.

The training was part of the JDPC mission to create awareness and policy education on health and education through Ward Development Committee (WDC), School Based Management Committee and Community reporters, all trained to carry out oversight monitoring in their various communities to enhance the collaboration with government on the community needs for development and improved welfare of community members.

The brainstorming workshop was led by Shadrach Nwekeagu and Mrs Cynthia Arinze who mentored participants on their roles in community reporting, project monitoring and advocacy skills having led them through modes of identifying health and social needs in their communities such that community members avoid risky health practices and obtain information to take care of their health.

The group urged the participants to network with stakeholders to improve learning facility and learning standards stating that collaboration with government and private organizations attract intervention programmes from governments and agencies.

Earlier in his remark, the Project Manager, Mr. Alphonsus Nwoye tasked the participants to take the training serious to obtain needed skills and information that will aid development of their various communities.

Nwoye said the programmes is aimed at creating synergy between the government and communities in the state for inclusive development urging the communities to take attitudinal ownership of projects installed in their various communities.

He said ECID project was set aside to alleviate sufferings of vulnerable group in the society including the disability group, the adolescents and rural women in various communities in Anambra State. He said the project is concerned with the quality of education, healthcare and agriculture which has direct effect on the people’s livelihood.

In her goodwill message, representative of the Christian Aid, Uzor Uzoma urged the participants to take what they have been thought serious and urged them to take responsibility for their community development. She advised them not to rely on governments for development, adding that there are areas they must function to aid development in their communities.

Also, Director of Civil Rights Concern, (CRC) Okey Onyeka while educating the participants on voter education ahead of the upcoming November 6 election in Anambra state admonished the participants to shun vote buying which has become the norm in the present day electioneering.

In their testimonies, Hon. John Nwanwuna from Odekpe in Ogbaru local government area said that the event was an eye opener for him having been WDC leader in his locality. He said that the training has helped him understand his role to protect projects given to his community and assured to spread such message to his community members not present.

Also, Kenneth Onyeagwo from Ayamelum in his remark charged his fellow participants to practice on what they leant in the training assuring that he has learnt the need to take community reporting serious to improve welfare of his people.

Okoye Raphael Chukwuemeka, a community reporter from Ifite Ogwari in Ayamelum local government area said the event taught him to work more for his community to make sure that government projects are carried out and maintained to serve the community. He noted that he learnt that they should make sure that the healthcare in their communities are in good shape.