By Asmau Ahmad
The Nigeria’s Federal Government has called for more commitment from all stakeholders towards meeting the open defecation-free target before the year 2025.
The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Hussain Adamu, made the call at the inauguration of the planning committee for the hosting of 2022 World Toilet Summit in Nigeria.
The Founder of the World Toilet Organisation, Mr Jack Sim had on February 22, announced Nigeria as the host country of the summit.
The minister said the selection of Nigeria was in view of the country’s stride towards eliminating open defecation practices, through the implementation of a National Campaign to end open defecation by 2025.
According to him, till date, the campaign has recorded 78 local government areas as Open Defecation Free (ODF), with the deadline of 2025 as target date for Nigeria.
He, however, said there was still a lot to be done to move the remaining 696 local government areas to ODF status and sustain the 78 ODF local government areas
“The Federal Government has consistently demonstrated commitment to the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector in Nigeria through various initiatives being implemented in the sector.
“We acknowledge that Nigeria needs all the support it can get in ensuring that the different sector initiatives gain traction and with all stakeholders playing their part.
“It is our expectation that the World Toilet Summit will provide a veritable platform for the mobilisation of the private sector and other critical stakeholders in addressing the challenge of open defecation in the country,” he said.
Adamu acknowledged the role of the private sector in boosting the sanitation value chain and creating a circular economy across the value chain.
He urged the committee to plan and roll out initiatives to ensure the successful hosting of the summit in line with the agreed terms of reference.
The Planning Committee, chaired by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, said the summit was expected to bring critical stakeholders, to highlight the issue of open defecation and bring it to greater public focus.
Members of the committee include; representatives from the Federal Ministries of Environment, Information, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development, Women Affairs, Finance, Budget and National Planning among others.
Others are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigerian Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, UNICEF, WaterAid, USAID, WHO, World Bank and others.
