SSDO, partners move to eradicate open defecation in Enugu community

The South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) and its partners have commenced moves to end age-long open defecation practice in Mboshi-Aji community in Enugu State.

Miss Obianuju Ezeike, Team Lead of Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) in SSDO, disclosed this in an address to the Community Triggering Event on Ending Open Defecation in Mboshi-Aji community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area (LGA), of Enugu State.

The event was organised on Tuesday by SSDO in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria and the Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources, Small Town Units, and the Igbo-Eze North LGA Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Unit.

Ezeike noted that the alarming percentage of open defecation practice in most communities is “a pointer to the lack of proper toilet infrastructure and water facilities, especially in rural communities”.

She said that the community sensitisation action was meant to make the people understanding the open defecation challenge and look at ways to ensure its eradication within neighbourhoods and communities in the 17 LGAs.

According to her, the community members were engaged using the Defecation Area Map (DAM) triggering method.

Ezeike explained that the participants were asked to draw their community map and highlight important landmarks, while they then identified their houses on the maps with cardboard.

“The facilitator then asked who had toilets and asked the community members to applaud them. Community members without toilets were asked to identify on the map with sawdust where they defecate,” she said.

Participants in the event, which included community leaders, women leaders, and community members, noted that open defecation had serious negative environmental and health implication on the residents.

A participant, Mrs Cordelia Ugwuanyi, said that with the training and exposition, “it is clear the community is filled with faeces that cause sickness in people.”

Another community member, Mr Ali Michael, noted that open defecation makes the environment inhabitable for both humans and animals.

“The constant open defecation causes diarrhea and cholera, especially in children and elderly people with weak immunity,” Michael said.

Later, Sir Levi Idoko, Coordinator of WASH Unit in Igbo-Eze North LGA, who coordinated action points, said that community members had decided on some positive point to reverse the negative trend.

“First, residents of the community agreed on immediate formation of a 12-man WASH Committee (WASHCOM) with seven males and five females.

“The WASHCOM members were directed to visit households to determine the actual number of households with and without toilet facilities and report to the elders for appropriate fines and sanctions.

“Establishment of community bye-laws to prohibit open defecation; construction and usage of toilet facilities in every home as well as constant sanitation effort to keep the surroundings clean,” Idoko read out at the event.

The WASH coordinator said that community members were committed to end open defecation in the homes; proper food hygiene is maintained in the homes as well as using the community’s task force to ensure adherence.

According to him, community members also agreed to a three-month time frame to ensure that every household has a toilet. (NAN)